high profile

1. noun A presence or stance that is deliberately conspicuous and prominent socially. People only become true celebrities when they maintain a high profile both in their professional and private lives. I don't need a high profile to be happy—I like my anonymity, thanks. Now that Tyler has a high profile, he can get us a table at any fancy restaurant in the city!

2. adjective Prominent in the perception of the public or one's peers in a particular field. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. The attorney has been involved in several high-profile cases, making him a household name. Because I wasn't a high profile draft pick, I had to start my career in the minors. The tech company has been working to acquire a number of other high profile companies in its bid to diversify into an international conglomerate.

a high profile

COMMON If a person, organization or activity has a high profile, they are well-known and people notice what they do. He will be thinking about his future now that he has such a high profile in the cycling world. It was expected that someone with a high profile would get the job. Note: You can also use high-profile before a noun. Experience in Australia has shown how effective a high-profile campaign can be in changing public attitudes. She works three days a week in a high-profile job as communications director for a top advertising agency.