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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

"We are working hard behind the scenes to try and make sure that we can facilitate regular child maintenance payments," he said.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

On one critical issue, the reworking of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the automakers are presenting a united front behind the scenes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

The president regularly speaks publicly about the ballroom and is known to spend time behind the scenes overseeing its design.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

“I want to give the opening of schools the space that it deserves,” Chait said, “but of course, behind the scenes, folks are already working.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

So for two years, Lucy Stone’s daughter, Alice Stone Blackwell, and one of Anthony’s most trusted apprentices, Rachel Foster Avery, worked behind the scenes to reconcile the groups.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

The review would be done by the Los Angeles Continuum of Care, a behind-the-scenes board of community members that fills a Congressionally-mandated role guiding policy for federally-funded programs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

Recently, a new season of “Hard Knocks” premiered, HBO’s behind-the-scenes journey through one American pro football team’s pre-season training camp.

From Salon ● Aug. 7, 2026

Attending World Cup matches as a fan and behind-the-scenes observer, Harper was impressed by the transportation services provided by L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

Meanwhile, there are efforts to overcome a behind-the-scenes barrier between doctors and dentists: records systems.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

But Mya sent me a behind-the-scenes Snap video earlier this afternoon, taken seconds after this picture, which revealed that Camila still has no clue how to surf.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott