bring to bay

bring to bay  {v. phr.}

Преследовать до момента когда спасение без боя уже невозможно; загонять в ловушку; загонять в угол.

The police brought the robber to bay on the roof and he gave up.

The fox was brought to bay in a hollow tree and the dogs stood around it barking.

Ср.: AT BAY.