keep at bay

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep at bay" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to mean to keep something away or stay away from something. For example, "I keep my fear at bay by focusing on positive things in my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There are few variables to control for, no wild cards to keep at bay.

The New York Times

It helps to brand the people whom, for our own safety, we might rather keep at bay.

The New Yorker

I also try to keep at bay any suggestion that the present is the darkest time of celebrity poisoning.

The New Yorker

The "wolves" we need to keep at bay were and still are in Afghanistan and Pakistan, not Iraq.

The New York Times

The colors are part of a crucial code by which Christopher identifies familiar images and helps keep at bay the roiling strangeness of what lies beyond.

The New York Times

They are also trying to keep at bay many of the other technological developments that have complicated American and European markets.

The New York Times

Both Ukraine and Belarus are weapons supermarkets for the worst sort of customer and provide transit for just about everything the West wants to keep at bay.

The Economist

In recent months, several security firms and consultants have been hit by the very intruders they are hired to keep at bay.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Calarco's staging is fluid and sensitive throughout, with just enough physical action to keep at bay the feeling that this show is inherently static.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The real world was kept at bay.

The New York Times - Arts

Disorder had to be kept at bay.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep at bay" when you want to emphasize the ongoing effort required to prevent something negative from happening or affecting a situation.

Common error

Don't use "keep at bay" if the action is a one-time event. This phrase implies a continuous or repeated effort to prevent something undesirable.

How to use

Learn how to use "keep at bay" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep at bay" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a predicate to describe the action of preventing something undesirable from approaching or affecting a situation. As shown in Ludwig, this can range from abstract concepts like fear or negative feelings to concrete threats like competitors or intruders.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep at bay" is a versatile verb phrase that effectively communicates the action of preventing something negative from approaching or influencing a situation. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources but also appears in Formal & Business and Academic contexts. While alternatives like "ward off" and "fend off" exist, "keep at bay" emphasizes the sustained effort required. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a continuous or repeated action. Overall, "keep at bay" is a strong and useful idiom in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ward off

Focuses on actively deflecting or repelling something, often implying a protective action.

fend off

Suggests a struggle to repel an attack or unwanted advance.

hold back

Emphasizes restraining or preventing something from progressing or affecting.

hold off

Implies delaying or postponing something to avoid its immediate impact.

stave off

Highlights averting something negative, often a crisis or danger, for a limited time.

keep away

Indicates maintaining distance to avoid contact or influence.

hold in check

Stresses controlling or restraining something to prevent it from becoming problematic.

repel

Conveys a strong sense of pushing something away, often something aggressive or invasive.

deter

Focuses on discouraging or preventing something through fear or doubt.

block

Implies a physical or metaphorical barrier to prevent something from reaching or affecting.

FAQs

How can I use "keep at bay" in a sentence?

You can use "keep at bay" to describe the action of preventing something negative from affecting a situation. For example, "Regular exercise helps to keep health problems at bay."

What's a similar phrase to "keep at bay"?

Alternatives to "keep at bay" include "ward off", "fend off", or "hold back", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "kept at bay"?

Yes, "kept at bay" is the past tense form of "keep at bay" and is grammatically correct. For example, "The army kept the enemy at bay."

What is the difference between "keep at bay" and "avoid"?

"Keep at bay" implies an active and continuous effort to prevent something, while "avoid" suggests simply steering clear of something. To "keep something at bay" often suggests that the threat is persistent or imminent, requiring constant vigilance.