Keep something at bay

Definitions

• prevent something from happening or approaching
  To keep something at a distance or under control, often in a defensive manner. Can also refer to keeping something from getting worse or causing harm.

• delay something
  To postpone or hold off on something, often temporarily. Can also refer to keeping something from happening too soon or too quickly.

Examples of Keep something at bay

• The medicine kept the fever at bay for a few hours.

  This idiom means to prevent something from getting worse or from becoming a problem. In this example, the medicine prevented the fever from getting worse and causing more serious symptoms.

• The police kept the rioters at bay with tear gas and rubber bullets.

  This idiom means to prevent people or animals from approaching or advancing. In this example, the police used tear gas and rubber bullets to prevent the rioters from getting closer and causing more damage.

• She kept her emotions at bay during the argument.

  This idiom means to control or suppress one's feelings or reactions. In this example, she didn't let her emotions get the best of her during the argument and remained calm and collected.

• The warning signs were ignored, and the disaster was allowed to come at bay.

  This idiom means to allow something to happen or to become a problem. In this example, the warning signs were ignored, and as a result, the disaster was allowed to occur.

• The soldiers kept the enemy at bay with their guns and grenades.

  This idiom means to prevent someone or something from advancing or attacking. In this example, the soldiers used their guns and grenades to prevent the enemy from getting closer and causing damage.

Conclusion

The idiom "keep something at bay" has two main meanings, both of which involve preventing or delaying something. The first meaning is to keep something at a distance or under control, often in a defensive manner. This can be used in a physical sense, such as keeping a predator at bay, or in a more abstract sense, such as keeping negative feelings at bay. The second meaning is to delay or hold off on something, often temporarily. This can refer to postponing a task or event, or delaying a negative outcome.

Origin of "Keep something at bay"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to hunting and warfare, where it was used to describe keeping dangerous animals or enemies at a safe distance. The word "bay" in this context means "an inlet of the sea or some other body of water." So, when someone was keeping something at bay, they were keeping it from reaching them, just as a bay keeps the sea from reaching the land.

The idiom first appeared in written form in the 14th century, and was commonly used in literature and speech by the 16th century. Over time, it evolved to have a more figurative meaning, and can now be used in a wide range of situations, not just in reference to physical danger.