keep at bay

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

0.01 sec.

keep something/somebody at bay

to prevent something or someone unpleasant from coming too near you or harming you If we can keep the rabbits at bay, we should have a good crop of vegetables in the garden. For me, overeating is a way of keeping my feelings at bay.

See also: bay, keep

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	?
Sadly, his rock-bottom self-esteem means she's totally oblivious to the raging passion Malc's struggling to keep at bay. Malc's love poem agony; the funny side of life... by our family man ... by Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England) Her job is to feed its red squirrel population and keep at bay alien invaders from the animal and plant world. Saving squirrels by Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England) Yet he was taken apart by the winner, paying the price for even keeping tabs and tiring so much that he was hard pressed to keep at bay the inferior Melling. Top Speed's Verdict: Still striding towards Aintree by Willougby, James / The Racing Post (London, England)			keep a firm grip on keep a lid on keep a low profile keep a promise keep a secret Keep a stiff upper lip keep a straight face Keep a thing seven years and you'll find a use for it keep a tight rein on keep a weather eye on keep about keep abreast of keep after keep an act up keep an ear out for keep an ear to the ground keep an eye on keep an eye out keep an eye out for keep an open mind keep an/ ear to the ground keep apart keep at a distance keep at arm's length keep at arm's length from keep at bay keep away keep back keep banker's hours keep body and soul together keep cards close to chest keep chair keep chin up keep close watch on keep company keep cool keep dark keep distance keep distance (from keep end up keep eye on keep eye on the ball keep eyes open keep eyes peeled keep faith with keep feet on the ground keep finger on the pulse of keep fingers crossed keep fit keep from doing keep going			keep an eye out keep an eye out keep an eye out keep an eye out for keep an eye upon keep an open mind keep an open mind keep an/ ear to the ground Keep and Bear Arms keep apart keep apart keep apart keep around keep as captive keep as one’s own keep at keep at keep at keep at keep at keep at a distance keep at a distance keep at a distance from keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length keep at arm's length from keep at bay keep at someone Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Keep Australia Beautiful Council, Queensland Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria keep away keep away keep away keep away keep away keep away from keep back keep back keep back keep back keep back keep bad time keep bad time keep bad time keep bad time keep banker's hours keep bed keep bed keep bed keep bed Keep Bedford Beautiful Commission Keep Believing Ministries Keep Birmingham Beautiful Commission keep body and soul together

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.