English Language & Usage Asked on February 7, 2021
For example someone is looking to circumvent contacting the local club board by going to the head office to remove club membership as to not draw attention, in other words just getting it removed to not be hassled by the local club members for example or reduce the possibility for peace’s sake.
“not wanting to draw attention” was what I was thinking but I think there’s something more eloquent/smarter sounding.
[Wanting] to keep a low profile is a common expression for this.
keep a low profile
- to avoid attracting attention to yourself:
He's been in a little trouble recently so he's trying to keep a low profile.
There is also to keep your head down, which carries the sense of avoiding (a real threat of) trouble:
keep your head down
- to try to avoid trouble or involvement in a difficult or dangerous situation by behaving in a quiet way, so that people will not notice you
After unity, he had little time for Christian Democrats who had kept their heads down under the old regime.
Any clandestine approach to an operation could be said to be
backstairs ('backdoor' usually implies dodginess)
backstairs [adjective]
- involving intrigue or scandal; secret
or a sub-rosa activity
sub-rosa [adjective]
- secretive, private
sub rosa [adverb]
- in confidence: secretly
And there is always the very safe option low-key:
low-key [adjective]
- not elaborate, showy, or intensive; modest or restrained. [discreet]
their wedding was a very quiet, low-key affair
[Lexico]
Answered by Edwin Ashworth on February 7, 2021
That behaviour is described by this sense of discreet:
[Merriam-Webster]
3 : UNOBTRUSIVE, UNNOTICEABLE
// followed at a discreet distance
In other words, you have to approach somebody in order to get something changed (you're not being clandestine, where nobody else knows), but you only want the person you're approaching to know about the problem, and not anybody else.
You get something done, but not in a way that causes any kind of public or political issues, or even any awareness.
I talked to a particular person in private, because I wanted to be discreet.
Answered by Jason Bassford on February 7, 2021
Your question does not make a moral judgement about why it is desireable to avoid being noticed. I offer three possibilities, in order of most negative to most positive connotations ("furtive" suggests a thief, but "stealth" can have an arguably good purpose in a war effort, for example):
Furtive (of people) behaving secretly and often dishonestly, or (of actions) done secretly and often dishonestly: "I saw him cast a furtive glance at the woman at the table to his right."
Surreptitious done secretly, without anyone seeing or knowing: "She seemed to be listening to what I was saying, but I couldn't help noticing her surreptitious glances at the clock."
Stealthy quiet and careful in order not to be seen or heard
Also Stealth: movement that is quiet and careful in order to avoid notice, or secret or indirect action
Answered by Conrado on February 7, 2021
Inconspicuous
not clearly visible or attracting attention.
That word suits your example as it describes someone who does something without wanting to draw attention to themselves, in your case, the local club.
Answered by desbest on February 7, 2021
I also want to say "Inconspicuous" but for some reason @desbest's answer was downvoted. I will explain my answer here. According to the Cambridge dictionary, Inconspicuous, adjective, means:
not easily or quickly noticed or seen, or not attracting attention:
So, you can say "He tried to be as inconspicuous as possible"
You can also say stealthily (Cambridge dictionary):
quietly and carefully in order not to be seen or heard:
"He moved around the building stealthily"
You can also have the adverb form of Inconspicuous, "inconspicuously" and the adjective form of stealthily, "stealthy".
Answered by Stephanie Chen-Xu on February 7, 2021
The thought of “not wanting to draw attention” is adequately expressed by "lying low".
X is looking to cancel his club membership while lying low.
Collins:
lie low
PHRASEIf you are lying low, you are hiding or not drawing attention to yourself. [informal]
Far from lying low, Kuti became more outspoken than ever.
Answered by alwayslearning on February 7, 2021
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