low-key

[loh-kee] /ˈloʊˈki/

adjective, Also, low-keyed

of reduced intensity; restrained; understated.

(of a photograph) having chiefly dark tones, usually with little tonal contrast (distinguished from high-key).

verb (used with object), low-keyed, low-keying.

to make or attempt to make low-key:

to low-key the arms buildup.

Origin

1890-95

Examples from the web for low-key

My bet is they will keep this as low-key as possible.
They turned him down, and things have continued to grow, even though until recently it's been a low-key operation.
Their advocacy of a low-key president seems close to a wish for the job to be done badly.
Print censorship is a bit more common, but still fairly low-key.
But these were low-key efforts compared with the programs to develop nuclear weapons.
Life remained low-key within the weekend retreat for decades: tennis and badminton by day, cookouts on the beach at night.
For customers on four wheels, the low-key neighborhood has ample street parking, so you don't have to feed pesky meters.
Too low-key for today's radio, which is desperately chasing a way to make easy money without putting on anything of quality.

British Dictionary definitions for low-key

adjective

having a low intensity or tone

restrained, subdued, or understated

(of a photograph, painting, etc) having a predominance of dark grey tones or dark colours with few highlights Compare high-key

Slang definitions & phrases for low-key

adjective

Quiet; modest; unassertive: She is low-key but is happy to talk about things that Wayans doesn't do for himself (1965+)

verb

To treat with little emphasis; play down: They were low-keying it because of the controversy (1960+)

[in adjective sense, a technical term in photography, ''with tones lying in the gray scale,'' found by 1907]