Modesty often reflects a person’s humility and restraint in their behavior or appearance. It’s a quality that keeps individuals grounded and respected in various social and professional circles. This blog post explores 20 idioms that encapsulate the essence of modesty, offering a glimpse into how different cultures perceive and express this admirable trait.
1. Keep a low profile
Meaning: Stay unnoticed
Example: She keeps a low profile at work.
2. Not blow one’s own trumpet
Meaning: Avoid self-praise
Example: He never blows his own trumpet.
3. Play oneself down
Meaning: Undersell oneself
Example: She plays herself down too much.
4. Hide one’s light under a bushel
Meaning: Conceal talents
Example: Don’t hide your light under a bushel.
5. Modesty becomes you
Meaning: Modesty suits you
Example: Truly, modesty becomes you.
6. Down-to-earth
Meaning: Practical, humble
Example: He’s very down-to-earth.
7. Not sing one’s own praises
Meaning: Avoid boasting
Example: She doesn’t sing her own praises.
8. Shrink from the limelight
Meaning: Avoid attention
Example: He shrinks from the limelight.
9. Keep one’s feet on the ground
Meaning: Remain practical
Example: Always keep your feet on the ground.
10. Take a back seat
Meaning: Stay unobtrusive
Example: Sometimes, you need to take a back seat.
11. Understate one’s achievements
Meaning: Soft-pedal success
Example: He understates his achievements.
12. Not toot one’s own horn
Meaning: Avoid self-praise
Example: She never toots her own horn.
13. Blend into the background
Meaning: Stay inconspicuous
Example: He can blend into the background when needed.
14. Play down one’s abilities
Meaning: De-emphasize skills
Example: Don’t play down your abilities.
15. Not seek the spotlight
Meaning: Avoid attention
Example: She doesn’t seek the spotlight.
16. Make light of oneself
Meaning: Self-deprecate
Example: He always makes light of himself.
17. Go unnoticed
Meaning: Remain unrecognized
Example: She prefers to go unnoticed.
18. Keep one’s head down
Meaning: Avoid attention
Example: Just keep your head down and work.
19. Not wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
Meaning: Hide emotions
Example: He doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve.
20. Stay out of the limelight
Meaning: Avoid prominence
Example: They chose to stay out of the limelight.
