at bay
prepositional phrase
- prepositional phrase (set phrase, idiomatic) Unable to come closer; at a distance.
- prepositional phrase (set phrase, idiomatic) Cornered; unable to flee.
- prepositional phrase (heraldry) Of an animal, especially a docile animal in contrast to a predatory animal which would be blazoned statant: standing, in profile toward dexter, with all four feet on the ground. (If gazing at the viewer, the animal is at gaze.)
Synonyms
at a distance at arm's length away back cornered trapped treed
Etymology
From bay (“excited howling of dogs”).
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “at bay”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details