out of the limelight

out of the limelight

Not or no longer at the center of attention. The phrase refers to a type of lamp that was previously used in theatrical stage lighting. He handles the financial side of the business, but he prefers to remain out of the limelight when it comes to promotions and marketing. After being famous for so long, Mark found it hard to be out of the limelight after his contract with the studio ended.
See also: limelight, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

out of/in the ˈlimelight

receiving no/a lot of public attention: If you are married to a Prime Minister, you are always in the limelight.In theatres, lime used to be burnt in front of the stage to give a bright light.
See also: limelight, of, out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be in the limelight
  • in the limelight
  • lime
  • limelight
  • out of/in the limelight
  • midnight
  • burn the midnight oil
  • burn the midnight oil, to
  • have a Chinaman at (one's) neck
  • have a Chinaman on (one's) back
References in periodicals archive
Duke Of Navan may well have just needed that outing after some time out of the limelight and should strip fitter for the Miller Time Novices' Chase.
One reveller said: "They were very much trying to keep out of the limelight.
The 41-year-old Scot has been out of the limelight for the past few seasons but he returned to the top of the leaderboard with a bang after yesterday's eight-under-par score.
Morwenna Banks has done almost everything in the name of comedy but for the past year she's been out of the limelight, working as a producer on Jack Docherty's C5 chat show.
The Princess has been trying to stay out of the limelight since her divorce, but this was the second night in a row that Di has been on the public stage.
Tory chiefs kept Michael Heseltine out of the limelight - because of his suntan.