Keep a low profile

Origin

The term 'profile' has long been used to describe an outline or side view of an object. When something has a 'low profile,' it physically does not stand out or rise much above its surroundings, making it harder to detect. This literal concept transitioned into the social and political spheres in the mid-20th century. The phrase solidified as a strategic idiom for individuals or organizations to deliberately adopt a discreet, inconspicuous manner, much like a stealthy object designed to evade detection, especially when seeking to avoid scrutiny or controversy.