disappear into the woodwork

disappear into the woodwork

To recede or absent oneself from public view; to become or remain hidden in society. The former movie star, never one to disappear into the woodwork, launched a very successful chain of restaurants and eventually ran for public office in Washington state. I think people expected us to disappear into the woodwork after the referendum results, but we made sure to stay firmly in the eye of the public.
See also: disappear, woodwork
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • vanish into the woodwork
  • blend into the woodwork
  • blend/fade into the woodwork
  • woodwork
  • oneself
  • fade into the woodwork
  • fade
  • wash hands of
  • wash one's hands of
  • wash your hands of somebody/something
References in periodicals archive
And once they're sold and profits collected, corporations disappear into the woodwork, leaving ordinary citizens to foot the bill for the dirty work of disposal, and to endure the consequences of toxic plastic pollution.
Plastics: Blame corporations, not people
In his speech after the ABS-CBN annual stockholders' meeting, Lopez stressed that he "will not disappear into the woodwork."
Gabby Lopez turns over leadership to cousin
I did not want to disappear into the woodwork and stop speaking for the disenfranchised.
Trans is only part of the list, not the top
Mid-July and we are deep into 'the silly season', a glorious two months when we tend to get a break from the woes of the world and politicians in particular disappear into the woodwork and give us all a break.
Kaye Adams
Yet when something serious and tragic occurs, like the sad death of a three-month-old baby, they all seem to disappear into the woodwork. Last Friday on the 6pm news there was coverage of this incident and the unwillingness of the council to publish the full report.
Politicians must give us answers
The wine cooler, sink, dishwasher, stove, oven and microwave are all finished in black and stainless steel, but refrigerator and freezer doors are paneled in maple to match the cabinetry and ultimately disappear into the woodwork. A beautiful glass-and-maple cabinet was built in place of the old pass-through window, with clear shelves for fine china and crystal, interior lights and frosted glass doors that reveal pretty silhouettes and shadows.
Before & after: a homeowner rediscovers the joy of cooking--in a kitchen that's a joy to work in
"The people just disappear into the woodwork. Again, that's quite a high figure."
pounds 1.2m RENTS DODGE