assume a low profile

To maintain a minimal degree of public notice or exposure; to avoid drawing attention, scrutiny, or observation to oneself. In contrast to her predecessor, the new governor has assumed a low profile, making greater inroads behind closed doors while largely staying out of the public spotlight. It can be hard for celebrities to assume a low profile when they go out in public. The boss said we have to assume a low profile while the police presence in the city remains heightened.

have a low profile

To maintain a state of minimal attention, scrutiny, or observation. The director has had a pretty low profile since his last film bombed at the box office. A lot of people are wondering if he's done with filmmaking altogether. It's hard for celebrities to have a low profile when they go out in public. The boss encouraged us to have a low profile while the police presence in the city remains heightened.

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.

in profile

1. As seen from the side. I really hate the way my nose looks in profile. In profile, the two brothers look remarkably alike. I could only see her in profile, and she was wearing a floppy hat and sunglasses—how was I supposed to recognize her?

2. Presented as a detailed account of the person or thing. Most often used in article headlines. Global Corp. in Profile: An In-Depth Look at the World's Most Prolific Company Ugh, the school magazine wants to do a "This Year's Valedictorian: In Profile" about me. We need to get firsthand witness accounts if we're going to write about the explosion in profile.

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.

See also: keep, low, profile

low profile

1. noun A state of being inconspicuous or avoiding attention. Used especially in the phrase "keep a low profile." 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. We'll have to keep a low profile while the police presence in the city remains heightened.

2. adjective Inconspicuous; modest and restrained in scope or style. Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. My fiancée is something of a celebrity, so we're trying to have a low-profile wedding and avoid having the media bothering us on the day. You'll want to keep cash purchases like that fairly low profile if you don't want the feds investigating your finances.

maintain a low profile

To maintain a minimal degree of public notice or exposure; to avoid drawing attention, scrutiny, or observation to oneself. In contrast to her predecessor, the new governor has been maintaining a low profile, making greater inroads behind closed doors while largely staying out of the public spotlight. It can be hard for celebrities to maintain a low profile when they go out in public.

*low profile

Fig. a persona or character that does not draw attention. (*Typically: assume ~; have ~; keep ~; give oneself ~.) I try to be quiet and keep a low profile. It's hard because I just love attention.

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]

See also: keep, low, profile

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.

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.

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.

See also: keep, low, profile

keep (or maintain) a low profile

avoid attracting public notice or comment.

See also: keep, low, profile

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.

in ˈprofile

(of a face) seen from the side: In profile he’s got a nose like an eagle!

(pro)file

in. to walk about and show something off; to walk carefully in a way that gets attention. (As if showing one’s profile.) Look at Albert profiling along! What a nerd.

low profile, keep a

Avoid publicity or attention, try to be inconspicuous. The term dates from the mid-1900s. William Safire suggests it may have originated in the military, where tanks and other armored vehicles are less vulnerable when they present a low profile. Another theory is that it is a translation of the Japanese teishisei, for “low posture,” the motto for Hayato Ikeda’s cabinet of 1960–64. It is now used in a large variety of contexts, ranging from politics (as in, “Let’s keep a low profile on abortion rights”) to celebrities in various fields.