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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

behind the scenes behind-the-scenes

At Telluride, Fielder, who had initially planned to stay behind the scenes, admitted he was still perplexed by the couple’s openness.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

It’s true that Zacharia’s job isn’t just to answer on-camera questions but also to work with reporters behind the scenes, credibly speak for the president, and paint the administration in a positive light.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026

Being behind the scenes made her realize she wanted to apply to drama school.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

For those working behind the scenes, the merger of two historic studios has been described as a "disaster" by those on the ground.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Being in the pulpit was like being in the theatre; I was behind the scenes and knew how the illusion was worked.

From "The Fire Next Time" by James Baldwin

She then went on to detail the herculean, behind-the-scenes effort it took to make the Dashwood sisters so effortlessly stunning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Fans of the subgenre, known and loved for its depiction of journalism’s slow yet effective behind-the-scenes processes, might see this as a fatal flaw.

From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026

Since then there has been frenetic activity behind-the-scenes, mainly at Hillsborough Castle, to try to break the deadlock.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Boosting the team’s behind-the-scenes infrastructure was one of Mark Walter’s major initiatives when the Dodgers’ owner bought the Lakers in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

And then...then the behind-the-scenes footage began to play.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

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