lay low
Kept from sight
Lay low means to stay hidden or avoid attention, typically to escape notice or trouble: After the scandal broke, he decided to lay low for a few months.
The phrase often implies waiting for danger or scrutiny to pass.
Strictly speaking, lie low is the grammatically standard form, but lay low dominates in casual speech and has become widely accepted.
Cessation of activity
- recuperateHeal after illness
- convalesceRegain strength after sickness
- healRestore to wellness
- recoverRegain health or possession
recharge · rejuvenate · downtime · respite · rehabilitation · mend · nurse · wellness
Conceal or pelt
- concealKeep from being seen
- stashHidden reserve
- duckWaterbird that quacks
- disappearPass from visibility
vanish · seclude · withdraw · retreat · shelter · refuge · sanctuary · hideout
Exercising caution and attention
- waryGuardedly alert
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- alertWarning or watchfulness
guarded · discreet · prudent · circumspect · measured · patient · bide · wait
Move with stealth
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- lurkHide while observing
- prowlRoam stealthily
- shadowLight blocked by object
tail · surveil · covert · undercover · clandestine · furtive · surreptitious · undetected
Unassuming about oneself
- modestLacking in pretension
- quietLacking in sound
- subduedReduced in intensity
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
unobtrusive · inconspicuous · blend in · wallflower · background · anonymous · under the radar · downplay
rest
Cessation of activity
- recuperateHeal after illness
- convalesceRegain strength after sickness
- healRestore to wellness
recover · recharge · rejuvenate · downtime · respite · rehabilitation · mend · nurse · wellness · self-care
hide
Conceal or pelt
disappear · vanish · seclude · withdraw · retreat · shelter · refuge · sanctuary · hideout · safehouse
careful
Exercising caution and attention
alert · guarded · discreet · prudent · circumspect · measured · patient · bide · wait · timing
sneak
Move with stealth
shadow · tail · surveil · covert · undercover · clandestine · furtive · surreptitious · undetected · unseen
humble
Unassuming about oneself
understated · unobtrusive · inconspicuous · blend in · wallflower · background · anonymous · under the radar · downplay · self-effacing
- bring downbring down, take down, pull down, tear down, knock down
- discretiondiscreet, discretion, subtle, understated, unobtrusive
- hidinghide, conceal, take cover, hole up, hunker down
- doing nothingdo nothing, stand still, sit tight, stay put, keep still
- underworld slangsnitch, rat out, hitman, capo, consigliere
lay lowstand out
Be noticeably different
make a splash · draw attention · show off · flaunt · make waves
lay lowspring into action
Begin acting immediately
get busy · come out swinging · get going · hit the ground running · hustle
lay lowspeak up
Talk louder or opine
assert oneself · step forward · take a stand · come out swinging · stick one's neck out
low, lay, lower, layer, layout, lowest, lowered, lowering, laid