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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

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

As early as 2024, AltaMed was coming up with plans for the space behind the scenes at the highest level of city government.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

He was more successful on that score behind the scenes than most people in the media understand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

Known for his indefatigable bonhomie and upbeat mood, Rutte remains much appreciated behind the scenes at NATO.

From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026

Prior to that, he had worked selflessly behind the scenes at PIH, sometimes doing critically important things, sometimes the menial stuff.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

The picture was set to Swift's song, Love Story, while another post, set to The Fate of Ophelia, took her fans behind-the-scenes as she and her partner Danny Ramirez got ready for the nuptials.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 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

British media has for weeks been reporting on behind-the-scenes battles within the government over the DIP settlement.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

What inspired you to go from this relatively behind-the-scenes, former high-ranking legislative aide to a Democratic candidate for state senate in your home district?

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026

Most important, from the point of view of the friendship, Jefferson admitted that his behind-the-scenes criticism of Adams had been a willful misrepresentation.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis