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
Alice Park, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
With the decline of physical media, that kind of behind-the-scenes storytelling has largely disappeared.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Complimentary on-site tours include a historic walking tour of the main building, a horticultural grounds tour, and a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen.
—Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
During his first term, Trump books promised juicy revelations about behind-the-scenes conflict, offensive comments made in private, and crazy plans narrowly averted.
—Paul Farhi, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes
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Adjective
Alex, who had begun posting behind-the-scenes videos from skating shows and competition trips, dove more deeply into photography and video.
—Alice Park, Time, 5 Jan. 2026
With the decline of physical media, that kind of behind-the-scenes storytelling has largely disappeared.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Complimentary on-site tours include a historic walking tour of the main building, a horticultural grounds tour, and a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen.
—Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
During his first term, Trump books promised juicy revelations about behind-the-scenes conflict, offensive comments made in private, and crazy plans narrowly averted.
—Paul Farhi, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 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 11 Jan. 2026.
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