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
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Encinitas resident and Rotarian Vembra Holnagel won the certificate and later scheduled the evening at the station, inviting a small group of friends to join her for the special behind-the-scenes experience, according to a news release.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
In behind-the-scenes selfies shared to her Instagram Story, Vergara posed in an optical illusion corset dress with a sheer midriff cutout.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
Defense attorneys had held behind-the-scenes discussions with prosecutors and made a case to have the indictment dismissed against all six defendants, sources told the Tribune.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes
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Adjective
Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who was everything from a key pass-rusher to a behind-the-scenes mentor, left for a monster three-year, $63 million deal with Tennessee.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Encinitas resident and Rotarian Vembra Holnagel won the certificate and later scheduled the evening at the station, inviting a small group of friends to join her for the special behind-the-scenes experience, according to a news release.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
In behind-the-scenes selfies shared to her Instagram Story, Vergara posed in an optical illusion corset dress with a sheer midriff cutout.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
Defense attorneys had held behind-the-scenes discussions with prosecutors and made a case to have the indictment dismissed against all six defendants, sources told the Tribune.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 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 19 Mar. 2026.
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