to-keep-a-low-profile
/tə kiːp ə ləʊ ˈprəʊ.faɪl/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
To act quietly and avoid attention. A person who keeps a low profile does not try to stand out or attract notice.
- She kept a low profile after the promotion.
- The company kept a low profile during the investigation.
- He likes to keep a low profile at work.
Adinary Nuance
Keep a low profile is not the same as be shy. It means you choose not to draw attention, often for safety, privacy, or politeness. It is also different from stay quiet, which only means not speaking much. You can keep a low profile even while working, traveling, or doing important things.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- giữ kín tiếng
- Spanish
- pasar desapercibido
- Chinese
- 保持低调
- Japanese
- 目立たないようにする
- Korean
- 조용히 지내다
Etymology
This idiom uses the image of a person’s “profile,” or visible outline. It became common in modern English in the 20th century, especially in news and everyday speech.
Common phrases
keep a low profilekeep a very low profileprefer to keep a low profilemaintain a low profile
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is keep a low profile formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in both speaking and writing. It often sounds a little cautious or professional.
- What is the difference between keep a low profile and be quiet?
- Be quiet means not making noise or not speaking much. Keep a low profile means not attracting attention.
- Can I use keep a low profile in business writing?
- Yes. It is common in news, business, and professional contexts.
- Is keep a low profile a common phrase?
- Yes, it is widely used in everyday English and media writing.