Up-stage means to draw attention to oneself, while antonyms for up-stage include down-play, understate, play down or lower profile. When you down-play, you act modestly and avoid seeking praise, while understating implies that you are not exaggerating or making a scene but are calmly present. Lower profile means to stay away from the limelight and avoid attention to avoid drawing too much attention to yourself. These antonyms are useful in situations where you need to convey a different tone, and they help to balance the use of the word up-stage in your communication. Being aware of these antonyms can help one express oneself more clearly and effectively.