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
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Ironically, before Kotb’s emotional words about Guthrie, there had been rumors that the two were never really a good fit on the Today show, with Hollywood insider Rob Shuter reporting that behind-the-scenes things between them were complicated.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Apr. 2026
In Jason Bergh’s intimate documentary, a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a marathon of performances by Dancing with the Stars’ Derek and Hayley Hough becomes something entirely different when Hayley is forced to fight for her life following a shocking health crisis.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Presented in partnership with GRX Immersive Labs and moderated by Alton Glass and King Willonius, the session offers a behind-the-scenes look at the workflows, tools, and techniques shaping this new era of storytelling.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes
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Adjective
In that video, technology was used behind-the-scenes to identify Hoda – it wasn't seamlessly incorporated into the glasses.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Ironically, before Kotb’s emotional words about Guthrie, there had been rumors that the two were never really a good fit on the Today show, with Hollywood insider Rob Shuter reporting that behind-the-scenes things between them were complicated.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Apr. 2026
In Jason Bergh’s intimate documentary, a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a marathon of performances by Dancing with the Stars’ Derek and Hayley Hough becomes something entirely different when Hayley is forced to fight for her life following a shocking health crisis.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Presented in partnership with GRX Immersive Labs and moderated by Alton Glass and King Willonius, the session offers a behind-the-scenes look at the workflows, tools, and techniques shaping this new era of storytelling.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 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 23 Apr. 2026.
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