At bay meaning

At bay definitions

When a situation is said to be "at bay," it means that it is being held off or kept under control. This phrase is often used when describing a threat or danger that has not yet been fully resolved but is being prevented from causing harm at the moment.

Origin

The phrase "at bay" originates from hunting terminology, where it referred to the act of keeping an animal, typically a deer or boar, at a safe distance with spears or hounds. The hunters would keep the animal at bay, preventing it from attacking while they made preparations to capture or kill it.

Usage

Today, the phrase is used more figuratively to describe situations where a problem or danger is being held off or controlled. For example, a company might say they have their competitors "at bay" if they are successfully keeping them from gaining an advantage in the market.

Meaning

Being "at bay" implies a sense of containment and control. It suggests that while the threat may still be present, measures are in place to prevent it from causing harm or getting out of hand. It can also imply a level of vigilance and readiness to act if the situation changes.

Overall, being "at bay" is about maintaining a delicate balance and ensuring that a potentially harmful situation does not escalate. It requires awareness, strategy, and sometimes a bit of luck to keep the danger at a distance and under control.

At bay Examples

1. The hounds kept the deer at bay during the hunt.
2. The security guards managed to keep the protesters at bay.
3. The medication helps to keep his migraines at bay.
4. Regular exercise can help keep stress at bay.
5. She kept her emotions at bay during the meeting.
6. The high walls around the castle kept intruders at bay.
7. Her quick thinking kept disaster at bay.
8. The police set up roadblocks to keep the suspect at bay.
9. He used humor to keep his fear at bay.
10. The company's strong leadership kept bankruptcy at bay.

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