Akademik

at bay
adverb
a) Unable to come closer; at a distance.

In that case the enemy himself could have occupied the defences of Corinth and held at bay all the Union troops that arrived.

b) Cornered; unable to flee.

These two books of sacred, and secular, passages for memory—will serve other good purposes besides merely occupying vacant hours: they will help to keep at bay many anxious thoughts, worrying thoughts, uncharitable thoughts, unholy thoughts.

Syn: at a distance, at arms length, away, back, cornered, trapped

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