behind closed doors

Idioms  

1. In secret, privately. For example, The nominating committee always meets behind closed doors, lest its deliberations become known prematurely. Also see behind the scenes.

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Example Sentences

Environmental groups sued the Energy Department, alleging the panel was convened behind closed doors in violation of federal rules.

From Barron's

Another caller to the hotline claimed that, in September 2024, Busfield asked a parent to wait outside and took a minor — one of the alleged victims in the New Mexico case — behind closed doors for an audition at the Cinelease Studios office in Albuquerque, according to the motion.

From Los Angeles Times

On Jan. 8 a EuroLeague basketball game between Real Madrid and Maccabi Tel Aviv was played behind closed doors because the police advised against attendance on security grounds.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There is no right or wrong way to process grief. Everybody processes it in their own way, at their own speed and their own time. And some need to do it at home, behind closed doors; others need to do it very vocally, out in public.”

From Los Angeles Times

Over the next two months, the report went through a series of edits — behind closed doors and without Cook’s involvement, as The Times disclosed last month.

From Los Angeles Times