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• behind the scenes
  behind the scenes

  idiom

  in secret or in private.
• behind-the-scenes
  behind-the-scenes

  adjective

  happening or conducted out of view of the general public.

behind the scenes

¹ American  

[bih-hahynd thuh seenz] / bɪˈhaɪnd ðə ˈsinz /

idiom

1. in secret or in private.

   Unbeknownst to most people, the group manipulated the survey results from behind the scenes.

2. in a part of a show, production, organization, etc., that is not visible to the public; backstage.

   Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at a rock concert?

   Join us as we take you behind the scenes of our photo shoot and discuss some of the products used.

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behind-the-scenes ² American  

[bih-hahynd-thuh-seenz] / bɪˈhaɪnd ðəˈsinz /

adjective

1. happening or conducted out of view of the general public.

   The behind-the-scenes preparations made the convention a huge success.

2. held or kept privately by or among a few key or influential people.

   There are rumors of behind-the-scenes negotiations taking place that may change international laws on nuclear power.

3. occurring backstage.

   I could hear the behind-the-scenes activities of the stage crew.

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behind the scenes More Idioms  

1. In secret or private, away from public view, as in His struggle for the top position took place strictly behind the scenes. This term alludes to the various activities that go on behind the curtain in theaters, out of the audience's view. [Late 1700s] Also see behind closed doors.

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Etymology

Origin of behind the scenes¹

First recorded in 1660–70

Origin of behind-the-scenes²

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

behind the scenes behind-the-scenes

Plus, Trump’s frustrations over the Iran war, behind the scenes with our travel columnist, and the fight to save all-you-can-eat buffets in Las Vegas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

For example, the Shah campaign has been attempting to recruit former Platner supporters behind the scenes, while making clear publicly that they have a place in this campaign, according to Politico.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026

The amount of work behind the scenes is incredible.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

And away from the action, thousands will be involved behind the scenes, including scores of volunteers.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

You see how there would have been so much scrambling behind the scenes, don’t you?

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Watch the video above for a behind-the-scenes look at the people who keep the park running.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

The showcase ranged from interactive photo ops to gallery walls featuring behind-the-scenes photos from the video shoot and Rodrigo’s nurse costume on display.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

British media has for weeks been reporting on behind-the-scenes battles within the government over the DIP settlement.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

We will also have a 'Shorts' video tab in the BBC Sport app, which is a new way for fans to watch bite-sized highlights, sharp analysis, explainers and get exclusive behind-the-scenes access.

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026

Mom became even more concerned about my values when my editor offered me a job writing a weekly column about what he called the behind-the-scenes doings of the movers and shakers.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls