Antonyms for the phrase "bring to bay" include release, let go, discharge, and set free. These antonyms imply that the action of "bringing to bay" involves capturing someone or something and holding them captive or under control. By contrast, the antonyms suggest freedom, the absence of control, and the ability to move or act without restraint. Whereas "bringing to bay" may be associated with hunting or capturing a quarry, the antonyms suggest a sense of permission, release, and liberation. The word "bay" itself may also imply confinement or restriction, so the antonyms suggest a sense of openness and possibility.