hold at bay

Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Encyclopedia

0.01 sec.

hold someone or something at bay

Fig. to make someone, a group, or an animal stay at a safe distance. (Originally referred only to animals.) I held the attacker at bay while Mary got away and called the police. The dogs held the bear at bay while I got my gun loaded.

See also: bay, hold

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback

References in periodicals archive	?		Idioms browser	?		Full browser	?
Halifax were big and strong with a penchant for driving mauls which, to their credit, Stour's defence managed to hold at bay when at times a try seemed inevitable. Rugby Union: Stour's winning machine stalls; STOURBRIDGE 3 HALIFAX 6 by Birmingham Mail (England) The daughter of Theatrical, runner-up in both of her previous races, just managed to hold at bay Godolphin newcomer Saffwah and the late-thrusting Miss Thailand. Hills takes the big race at Yarmouth by The Journal (Newcastle, England) But jockey Kieren Fallon got to work and drove his mount to the front half a furlong from home and the duo just managed to hold at bay Godolphin newcomer Saffwah and the late-thrusting Miss Thailand. Marcus back with a winner at Yarmouth; RACING: Trainer Tregoning ... by Coventry Evening Telegraph (England)			hits the fan hive of activity ho-hum hoard up hoarse as a crow hobnob with Hobson's choice hock hoe hoe own row hog hog wild hoist hoist a few hoist with own petard Hoist your sail when the wind is fair hold hold a gun to head hold a meeting hold accountable hold against hold all the aces hold all the cards hold at hold at arm's length hold at bay hold attention hold back hold breath hold by hold court hold down hold end of the bargain up hold end up Hold everything! hold feet to the fire hold fire hold for hold for ransom hold forth hold good hold good for hold ground hold hand hold head high hold head up hold head up high hold horses Hold horses! hold hostage hold in			hold a high opinion of hold a meeting hold a position of authority hold a wolf by the ears hold a wolf by the ears hold a wolf by the ears hold accountable hold accountable Hold Acknowledge hold against hold against hold against hold against hold against hold against hold all the aces hold all the cards hold aloft hold an argument hold an inquiry hold an office hold an opinion Hold And Modify hold apart hold as a hostage hold as hostage hold at Hold At Airborne Hold At Airport for Pickup hold at arm's length hold at bay hold at fault hold attention hold authority hold back hold back hold back hold back hold back hold back hold back action hold back by force hold back for a rainy day Hold Back the Fire Hold Baggage Scanner/Scanning hold breath hold breath hold breath hold breath hold breath hold button hold by hold by force hold captive hold cheap hold cheap hold cheap hold cheap hold cheap hold circuit hold close

Idioms and phrases

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.