keep a low profile

Meaning

To avoid attracting attention, publicity, or scrutiny to oneself. In business, this can mean staying out of office politics, avoiding media attention during a crisis, or working quietly without making big announcements.

Examples

• During the corporate restructuring, many managers preferred to keep a low profile.

  During the corporate restructuring, many managers preferred to keep a low profile.

• The CEO decided to keep a low profile until the PR crisis was fully resolved.

  The CEO decided to keep a low profile until the PR crisis was fully resolved.

• I'm just trying to keep a low profile and focus on finishing my quarterly reports.

  I'm just trying to keep a low profile and focus on finishing my quarterly reports.

• While the company is under audit, we should keep a low profile on social media.

  While the company is under audit, we should keep a low profile on social media.

• He kept a low profile at the conference, choosing to observe rather than speak on panels.

  He kept a low profile at the conference, choosing to observe rather than speak on panels.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She tried to keep a short profile during the meeting.

  ✓ She tried to keep a low profile during the meeting.

  The correct adjective is 'low', not 'short' or 'small'.

• ✗ It is better to keep low profile when things are tense.

  ✓ It is better to keep a low profile when things are tense.

  Do not forget the indefinite article 'a' in the phrase 'keep a low profile'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After the controversial merger was announced, the board members decided to ________.

  💡 avoid public attention

  Show answer

  keep a low profile

• I prefer to ________ at work and let my results speak for themselves.

  💡 stay out of the spotlight

  Show answer

  keep a low profile