Jump To:

• 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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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

Constantin Film declined to comment, but BBC Newsbeat has been told there was co-ordination between the developer and the film's producers behind the scenes.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

In other words, the talks may already be happening behind the scenes, even if there isn’t yet a public breakthrough or a clear timeline.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026

The first female White House chief of staff, Wiles has been widely credited with driving Trump's second presidency forward behind the scenes.

From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026

While diesel cars are rare, the fuel is vital behind the scenes and especially expensive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

Meanwhile, her sister, Arsinoe, was up to her usual tricks, working behind the scenes to sow dissent and confusion.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

Here's a look at some of the viral moments and all the bits and pieces the BBC captured behind-the-scenes at the show:

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

My colleague Elliot Kaufman is out with his behind-the-scenes book account of Israel’s post-Oct.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

The first pair of Emmy ceremonies, formerly called the Creative Arts Emmys, were held over two nights two weekends before the Primetime Emmy Awards and honored many of the behind-the-scenes workers and craftspeople in television.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

But it’s also one that, as Ocasio-Cortez’s behind-the-scenes videos depict, is expensive, uncomfortable, and painful to pursue.

From Slate ● Aug. 29, 2026

“I’m not getting up in front of the whole school and giving a speech. I’m a behind-the-scenes kind of guy, okay?”

From "The Misfits" by James Howe