Held in check

ATBAY

Kept at a distance, like a dog might be commanded to stay.

"Held in check" suggests something being restrained or controlled, which is the literal meaning of "at bay." The phrase "at bay" comes from hunting terminology, where it means to keep an animal cornered or unable to escape. In everyday language, it’s used to describe keeping a problem or threat under control. The answer is written as "ATBAY" to fit crossword conventions.