Keep at bay means keeping something away, not letting it get close: The fence keeps the goats at bay. It works for colds, boredom and debts too: A daily walk keeps stress at bay. Bay here isn't the sea but an old hunting word linked to the barking of hounds, which a cornered animal held off. Hold at bay means the same.
When would you say keep at bay?
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keep / hold + someone or something + at bay
- The fence helps keep wandering goats at bay.
- Small daily tasks kept boredom at bay during the long journey.
- The extra staff held the backlog at bay until the busy season ended.
What changed
First versionThe screens kept at bay the insects.
RevisionThe screens kept the insects at bay.
With most verbs the object can come last, so kept at bay the insects can look fine. But in this idiom the thing you hold off goes in the middle: keep the insects at bay. Move the insects, and the sentence sounds natural.
Get rid of means removing something completely: get rid of the mosquitoes. Keep at bay means holding it off while it's still around: The net keeps the mosquitoes at bay. In neutral writing, keep it under control also works.
Your turn
Complete the idiom meaning stop something troublesome from affecting you: These routines help keep confusion ___ bay.
Show the answer
at — The idiom is at bay, with no article. In bay isn't English.
Describe what helps you keep stress, boredom or colds away. Use keep … at bay.
A short checklist keeps last-minute confusion at bay when we prepare the hall.
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