low

hunt/search high and low

to search everywhere for something. I've been hunting high and low for the certificate, but I still haven't found it. (usually + for)

See also: high, hunt, search

keep a low profile

to avoid attracting attention to yourself. He's been keeping a low profile at work ever since his argument with Peter.

See also: keep

lay someone low

if an illness lays someone low, they are unable to do what they usually do for a period of time. He was at home at the time, laid low with the flu. (usually passive)

See also: lay

lie low

to remain hidden so that you will not be found. We thought someone might have seen us leaving the building, so we figured we'd better lie low for a while.

See also: lie

a low ebb

a bad state. Respect for the police is at a low ebb. (not used with the) I'd just separated from my wife and was at a fairly low ebb. (= was feeling sad and without hope) Relations between the two countries have reached their lowest ebb (= are the worst they have been) since the second world war.

See also: ebb

low life

the behaviour and activities of people from a low social class, especially criminal activities. She worked as a prostitute and experienced the harsher side of Parisian low life.

See also: life

the low man on the totem pole (American)

someone who has the least important position in an organization. He started as the low man on the totem pole and worked his way up to be manager.

See also: man, pole, totem

low-end (American, informal)

a low-end product is cheaper than, and not as good as the best product of its type. You can get low-end color printers that still do a good job. (always before noun)

low-key

not intended to attract a lot of attention. She had requested that the funeral be a low-key affair. The reception itself was surprisingly low-key.

the lowest common denominator

the large number of people in society who will accept low-quality products and entertainment. The problem with so much television is that it aims at the lowest common denominator.

See also: common

the lowest of the low

people who have no moral standards and lack any personal qualities. He regards the police as the lowest of the low. Drug-dealers and pimps come a close second.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

something that you say which means that using sarcasm (= saying the opposite of what you mean to make a joke) is unpleasant and is not a very clever thing to do. 'We're so grateful to you for arriving only 20 minutes late!' 'Oh really, Matthew, don't you know sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?'

See also: form, wit

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at (a) low ebb

below the usual condition or standard. The divorce comes at a time when Jackson's career is at a low ebb. Support for the arts has reached its lowest ebb and we hope it won't go any lower.

up to par

See also: ebb

keep a low profile

to behave in a way that does not attract attention. The local people are not always pleasant to strangers, who are warned to keep a low profile while visiting.

See also: keep

lay someone low

to make someone weak or extremely sad. The death of her father really laid her low. Paul was laid low by the flu for about a week.

See also: lay

lie low

to hide so you will not be caught by someone. All we could think to do was to get into the woods — any woods — as fast as possible and just lie low.

Usage notes: often confused in form with lay someone low to weaken someone

lie in wait

See also: lie

look high and low (for something)See: search high and low (for something)

See also: high, look

low on the totem pole

least important. He's the low man on the totem pole here. AIDS deaths are low on the totem pole compared with cancer and heart disease.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of totem pole (= a wooden pole with images of people and animals cut or painted on it)

See also: pole, totem

the lowest of the low

a person or organization that has no moral standards. Anyone who would trick poor people into giving him their money has got to be the lowest of the low.

Usage notes: used to show you strongly disapprove of someone

run low

to be almost used up. Food stocks are running low already and we'll probably run out in April.

See also: run

search high and low (for something)

to try very hard to find something. Janet searched high and low, but she couldn't find the kitten and finally had to ask the man.

See also: high, search