keep someone at bay Definition

bay⁵
verb bayed, baying

intr
1. Said especially of large dogs: to make a deep howling bark or cry, especially when hunting.
intr
2. Said of a crowd, etc: to howl or shout loudly and with a deep menacing tone.
3. Said especially of large dogs: to bay or howl at something.

Example: bay the moon
4. To utter something by baying.

Example: baying their welcome
5. To bring (a hunted animal) to bay.

noun

bays
1. The baying sound of a dog, etc.

Idiom: at bay

Said of a hunted animal: not able to escape, but forced to face its attacker or attackers.

Idiom: bring something or someone to bay

To trap it or them; to get (one's prey or opponent) into a position that leaves them no way out.

Idiom: keep something or someone at bay

To fight it or them off; to keep it or them from overwhelming (usually oneself).
Example: keeping poverty at bay
Example: some soup to keep the cold at bay

To keep it or them at a distance.
Example: The boxer kept his opponent at bay

Etymology: 14c: from French abai barking; originally an imitation of the sound.