adopt (someone or something) as (something)
1. To choose one for a specific role. We were so impressed with her efforts that we adopted her as the new leader of the organization. I've adopted Dr. Greene as my mentor because she specializes in postmodernism, and that's what I want to focus on. Did Stanford University really adopt a tree as its mascot?
2. To claim ownership of something or establish guardianship or someone. I told Marshall my idea for the project last week, and now he has apparently adopted it as his own. My parents adopted me as their son when I was just two months old. I was only supposed to cat-sit Pudge, but we bonded so much that I later adopted her as my own.
adopt out
1. To place a child or pet with a foster family. A noun or pronoun can be used between "adopt" and "out." After my cat gave birth, I spent the next month trying to adopt the kittens out to various people around town. My mother was always threating to adopt me and my sister out whenever we misbehaved. Please don't tell my kids you're adopting out puppies, or else I'll never hear the end of it!
2. To move to a new place from one's former home as a result of being adopted. Typically used in passive constructions and followed by "to" or "of." Their daughter was adopted out of Central America as a baby. The small nation has seen many of its children being adopted out to other countries as a result of the devastating war. Your son was adopted out of China, right? Did it take him a long time to get used to life in the US?
keep a low profile
To avoid drawing attention, scrutiny, or observation to oneself. A: "I haven't seen you in a while—how are you?" B: "Oh, I'm fine, just keeping a low profile so I can finish my research by the deadline." It's hard for celebrities to keep a low profile when they go out in public.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
adopt someone as something
to choose someone as something. The committee will adopt Jane as its candidate.
adopt something as something
to take on something, such as a policy or principle, as one's own. I will adopt this policy as my own.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
keep a low profile
Stay out of public notice, avoid attracting attention to oneself. For example, Until his appointment becomes official, Ted is keeping a low profile. This expression alludes to profile in the sense of "a visible contour," a usage dating from the 1600s. [Late 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
keep a low profile
COMMON If someone keeps a low profile, they avoid doing things that will make people notice them. The president continues to keep a low profile on vacation in Maine. The Home Secretary was keeping a low profile yesterday when the crime figures were announced in the House of Commons. Note: You can also say that you keep something low profile if you try to avoid attracting attention to it. They have been dating for a month and have kept everything very low profile. Note: You can also use low-profile before a noun. There is no need for the presence of any police officers. This is a low-profile event.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
keep (or maintain) a low profile
avoid attracting public notice or comment.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
adopt, keep, etc. a ˌhigh/ˌlow ˈprofile
try/try not to attract other people’s interest, attention, etc: If I were you, I’d try and keep a low profile until she’s forgotten about the whole thing. ♢ In the run-up to the elections all three candidates maintained a high profile.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017