hidden one's light under a bushel

Verb

hide one's light under a bushel (third-person singular simple present hides one's light under a bushel, present participle hiding one's light under a bushel, simple past hid one's light under a bushel, past participle hidden one's light under a bushel)

1. (idiomatic) To conceal one's positive qualities or talents, especially due to modesty or shyness; to avoid attention.
   • O then doe not knit vp your Maſters talent in a Napkin; ſmother not his light vnder a buſhell; […] but aboue all, ſquander not avvay your rich portions by riotous living.[1624 March 23 (date delivered; Gregorian calendar), Robert Saunderson [i.e., Robert Sanderson], “[Ad Clerum.] The Third Sermon. At a Visitation at Boston Lincoln[shire] 13. March. 1624.”, in Twelve...