behind the scenes
1 of 2phrase
1
: out of public view
also
: in secret
2
: in a position to see the hidden workings
… taken behind the scenes and told just how in fact the actual government … has operated …—
William Clark
William Clark
be·hind-the-scenes
bi-ˈhīnd-ṯẖə-ˈsēnz 
bē-
1
: being or working out of public view or in secret
behind-the-scenes lobbying for more money
a behind-the-scenes player
2
: revealing or reporting the hidden workings
a behind-the-scenes account
a behind-the-scenes glimpse
Examples of behind the scenes in a Sentence
Adjective
a tell-all book about the behind-the-scenes negotiations that got him the vice presidential nomination
behind-the-scenes negotiations that resulted in the hostages being released unharmed
Recent Examples on the Web
Josh Rivera, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
But the behind-the-scenes push and pull over the next release shows Nielsen having to cater to a new generation of customers — companies like Amazon, Roku and Netflix — that can be just as challenging as traditional clients like CBS, Fox and NBC.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Paul was also the first Bachelorette to have her phone and post behind-the-scenes content.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
The Drivecast is our weekly podcast giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest stories, controversies, and characters shaping the automotive industry and the way our roads look today.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes
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Adjective
Here’s what aspiring novelists and readers should know about the behind-the-scenes of publishing a fiction book.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
But the behind-the-scenes push and pull over the next release shows Nielsen having to cater to a new generation of customers — companies like Amazon, Roku and Netflix — that can be just as challenging as traditional clients like CBS, Fox and NBC.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
Paul was also the first Bachelorette to have her phone and post behind-the-scenes content.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
The Drivecast is our weekly podcast giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest stories, controversies, and characters shaping the automotive industry and the way our roads look today.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes
Cite this Entry
“Behind the scenes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind%20the%20scenes. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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