behind the scenes
1 Americanidiom
-
in secret or in private.
Unbeknownst to most people, the group manipulated the survey results from behind the scenes.
-
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.
adjective
-
happening or conducted out of view of the general public.
The behind-the-scenes preparations made the convention a huge success.
-
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.
-
occurring backstage.
I could hear the behind-the-scenes activities of the stage crew.
Etymology
Origin of behind the scenes1
First recorded in 1660–70
Origin of behind-the-scenes2
First recorded in 1835–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unlike in Western markets—where AI in retail has largely stayed behind the scenes in analytics and operations—Chinese platforms are increasingly putting AI directly in front of consumers.
From Barron's
Behind the scenes, though, frustration from the league was so high that the NFL secretly fined the Seahawks $5 million for being out of compliance with ownership requirements.
In terms of where this story might end up, it is clear from this latest batch of emails how much the US authorities had been trying behind the scenes to get Andrew to give evidence about Epstein.
From BBC
But behind the scenes all was not well.
From BBC
At a showing in Washington, where a major winter storm has snarled transit, Savannah Harrison told AFP she had purchased her ticket because she "was just very intrigued to see the behind the scenes."
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.