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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

The amount of work behind the scenes is incredible.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 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

She decided to work behind the scenes as a producer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

But behind the scenes, Scientology representatives and allies have lobbied officials to close the street, according to interviews with current and former city officials and hundreds of pages of government records.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

Preferring the less glorious and supposedly less influential position of cihuacoatl, head of internal affairs, he ruled from behind the scenes, dominating the Alliance for more than fifty years and utterly reengineering Mexica society.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

The BBC marked its debut with a special episode of Remembers, in which Freeman and Crook share personal memories and behind-the-scenes stories.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

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

Wilde’s follow-up, the 2022 psychodrama “Don’t Worry Darling,” became mired in behind-the-scenes gossip and tabloid speculation that overshadowed what was intended as a stylized portrait of female rage and discontent.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026

A behind-the-scenes teaser trailer boasts of expending 25 tons of propane to create a realistic approximation of dragon fire and setting a new world record for setting stunt performers on fire in a single take.

From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2026

But something both Sahil and Maddie have challenged me on just doesn’t ring true: the behind-the-scenes interview footage.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon