at bay

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Explanation of "at bay"

Definition: The phrase "at bay" means to be in a position where someone or something is cornered or unable to escape. It often describes a situation where someone is being forced to confront a threat or challenge.

Example Sentence

• "The deer stood at bay, surrounded by hunters."
• "She felt at bay when her boss asked her to explain the mistakes in her report."

Advanced Usage

In more advanced contexts, "at bay" can refer to emotional or psychological struggles where a person feels trapped by their circumstances, such as stress or fear.

Word Variants

• At bay (adjective phrase)
• There are no direct variants, but you might encounter related phrases in different contexts.

Different Meaning

• "At bay" can also imply being kept at a distance, especially in a way that prevents an attack or confrontation. For example, "The security guards kept the protesters at bay."

Synonyms

• Cornered
• Trapped
• Confronted
• Challenged

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

While "at bay" itself isn't part of a larger idiom or phrasal verb, it can be related to other phrases that describe being in a difficult situation, like: - "Backed into a corner" (feeling trapped with no options) - "Under siege" (facing a lot of pressure or attack)

Summary

In summary, "at bay" describes a situation where someone or something is cornered or pressured, often leading to a confrontation.

Academic

Adjective

1. forced to turn and face attackers
   • a stag at bay
   • she had me cornered between the porch and her car
   • like a trapped animal

Synonyms

• at bay
• cornered
• trapped
• treed