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
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Great details in Jen McCaffrey’s behind-the-scenes story.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
More than 220 pages of emails between PCSD officials and the show's producers show behind-the-scenes exchanges in the creation of a reality show featuring a sheriff's department that would soon become a household name as the Guthrie case played out.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Dargan was also a behind-the-scenes adviser to Speakers of the House and top staff members for more than two decades.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes
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Adjective
Despite the behind-the-scenes headaches, the movie is already proving to be worth the hefty price tag.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Great details in Jen McCaffrey’s behind-the-scenes story.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
More than 220 pages of emails between PCSD officials and the show's producers show behind-the-scenes exchanges in the creation of a reality show featuring a sheriff's department that would soon become a household name as the Guthrie case played out.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Dargan was also a behind-the-scenes adviser to Speakers of the House and top staff members for more than two decades.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 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 1 May. 2026.
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