- To deliberately avoid attracting attention or becoming noticeable.
Explanation
Origin
- The term profile refers to an outline or visibility.
- Keeping a low profile means reducing one's visibility or outline, making oneself less conspicuous.
- Likely popularized in contexts like military, espionage, or avoiding trouble, where being unnoticed is advantageous.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Stay low-key
- Fly under the radar
- Stay on the DL (Down Low secretly, inconspicuously)
- Chill out / Lay back (Be relaxed and unobtrusive)
- Keep your head down (Avoid trouble/attention, focus on work)
Milder/Standard:
- Remain inconspicuous
- Avoid drawing attention
- Be discreet
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in most contexts, informal and formal.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally well-understood. Ensure learners grasp it means avoiding attention, not physically staying low to the ground.
Examples
- After the public argument, the celebrity decided to keep a low profile.
- Let's just keep a low profile tonight; I don't want any drama.
- The witness was advised to keep a low profile until the trial.
Dialogue
Manager: The auditors are coming next week, so everyone be on your best behaviour.
Employee: Anything specific we should do?
Manager: Not really, just carry on as normal, but try to keep a low profile. Avoid anything controversial or noisy. Let's make their visit smooth.
Employee: Got it. Fly under the radar.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Feeling overwhelmed by social media drama. Going to keep a low profile online for a bit. #MentalHealthBreak
- Instagram Bio Snippet: Just trying to keep a low profile and enjoy life.
- Facebook Update: Decided to keep a low profile this weekend. Recharge time!
Response Patterns
- Agreement: Good idea. / Yeah, let's stay out of it.
- Questioning: Why? What's going on?
- Confirmation: Okay, I'll be quiet/inconspicuous.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After being told to keep a low profile:
- Ask Why? or For how long?.
- Modify behaviour to be less noticeable (e.g., speak less, avoid certain places).
After someone says they will keep a low profile:
- Ask Is everything okay?.
- Respect their wish for privacy/inconspicuousness.
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually a statement of intent or advice.
Intonation
- Stress is typically on low profile. He's decided to KEEP a LOW PROFILE.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used by most generations.
Regional Variations
- Common across all major English-speaking regions.