hold/keep somebody/something at bay
hold (someone or something) at bay
To keep something at a distance from oneself, especially that which is harmful or unpleasant; to control something in order to keep it from doing harm to oneself. During my college years, the only things I had to hold hunger at bay were beans, rice, and plain pasta. You have to start meeting your minimum monthly repayments if you want to hold your creditors at bay. These tree frogs have a powerful poison on their backs that helps hold predators at bay.
keep (someone or something) at bay
To keep something at a distance from oneself, especially that which is harmful or unpleasant; to control something in order to keep it from doing harm to oneself. During my college years, the only things I had to keep hunger at bay were beans, rice, and plain pasta. You have to start meeting your minimum monthly repayments if you want to keep your creditors at bay. These tree frogs have a powerful poison on their backs that helps keep predators at bay.