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
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is rumored to be making behind-the-scenes contact with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, a Cuban general, former national leader, and brother of Fidel Castro.
—Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 21 Feb. 2026
Morgan is a formidable rock as Kirshner, who was both behind-the-scenes and front-and-center in shaping the music scene.
—Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
How Kit Harington Ended Up In the Film The behind-the-scenes footage arrived roughly six months after Turner first discussed the awkwardness of kissing her former on-screen sibling.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes
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Adjective
This fascinating film features interviews and previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage of the two I Love Lucy stars, tracing the arc of their love story and coinciding careers.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is rumored to be making behind-the-scenes contact with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, a Cuban general, former national leader, and brother of Fidel Castro.
—Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 21 Feb. 2026
Morgan is a formidable rock as Kirshner, who was both behind-the-scenes and front-and-center in shaping the music scene.
—Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
How Kit Harington Ended Up In the Film The behind-the-scenes footage arrived roughly six months after Turner first discussed the awkwardness of kissing her former on-screen sibling.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 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 23 Feb. 2026.
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