to hold sb at bay

См. также в других словарях:

• hold something at bay — keep/hold/something at bay phrase to prevent something serious, dangerous, or unpleasant from affecting you Doctors recommend Vitamin C for keeping colds at bay. Thesaurus: to defend or protect yourselfsynonym Main entry: bay * * * …   Useful english dictionary

• hold somebody at bay — hold/keep sb/sth at ˈbay idiom to prevent an enemy from coming close or a problem from having a bad effect Syn: ward off • I m trying to keep my creditors at bay. • Charlotte bit her lip to hold the tears at bay …   Useful english dictionary

• bay — [[t]be͟ɪ[/t]] ♦♦♦ bays, baying, bayed 1) N COUNT: oft in names A bay is a part of a coast where the land curves inwards. ...a short ferry ride across the bay. ...the Bay of Bengal. ...the San Francisco Bay area. 2) N COUNT: oft supp N A bay is a… …   English dictionary

• hold — I [[t]ho͟ʊld[/t]] PHYSICALLY TOUCHING, SUPPORTING, OR CONTAINING ♦ holds, holding, held 1) VERB When you hold something, you carry or support it, using your hands or your arms. [V n prep/adv] Hold the knife at an angle... [V n] She is holding her …   English dictionary

• bay — bay1 [beı] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(sea)¦ 2 keep/hold something at bay 3¦(area)¦ 4¦(for cargo)¦ 5¦(tree)¦ 6¦(horse)¦ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ [Sense: 1; Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: baie, from Old Spanish bahia] [ …   Dictionary of contemporary English

• bay — I n. 1) to hold, keep at bay 2) to bring to bay II v. (D; intr.) to bay at (the hounds were baying at the fox) * * * [beɪ] to bring to bay to hold. keep at bay (D; intr.) to bay at (the hounds were bayinp at the fox) …   Combinatory dictionary

• bay — bay1 [ beı ] noun count ** 1. ) an area of the coast where the land curves inward: The harbor lights were visible across the bay. 2. ) a partly enclosed area that is used for a particular purpose, for example parking a car a ) an area in an… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

• bay — I UK [beɪ] / US noun [countable] Word forms bay : singular bay plural bays ** 1) an area of the coast where the land curves inwards The harbour lights were visible across the bay. 2) a partly enclosed area that is used for a particular purpose,… …   English dictionary

• bay — 1 noun (C) 1 SEA an area of the sea that curves inwards towards the land: I had a view across the bay to white sand and pine trees. | Montego Bay 2 keep/hold sth at bay to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening or from coming… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

• bay — [beɪ] noun [C] 1) an area of the coast where the land curves inwards 2) an area in a building or vehicle that is used for a particular purpose a loading/cargo bay[/ex] • keep/hold sth at bay to prevent something serious, dangerous, or unpleasant… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

• bay — Ⅰ. bay [1] ► NOUN ▪ a broad curved inlet of the sea. ORIGIN Old French baie, from Old Spanish bahia. Ⅱ. bay [2] (also bay laurel or sweet bay) ► NOUN …   English terms dictionary