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
David Caraccio
may 2, Sacbee.com, 2 May 2026
In a behind-the-scenes shot by Alex Bramall, Princess Charlotte is seen sitting in front of Eugenie, laughing so hard her eyes are squeezed shut.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
But when grass grows too slowly, there can also be behind-the-scenes conditions making grass growth a challenge.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 2 May 2026
Plus, and perhaps most important of all, trading for White provided the 26-year-old with a sneak peek of sorts, yielding behind-the-scenes access that simply isn’t possible during free agency visits.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
It’s also designed to keep running when the power goes out, with solar and a backup generator sized to support the whole operation — because a property that functions like a resort needs the behind-the-scenes infrastructure of one, too.
—David Caraccio
may 2, Sacbee.com, 2 May 2026
In a behind-the-scenes shot by Alex Bramall, Princess Charlotte is seen sitting in front of Eugenie, laughing so hard her eyes are squeezed shut.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
But when grass grows too slowly, there can also be behind-the-scenes conditions making grass growth a challenge.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 2 May 2026
Plus, and perhaps most important of all, trading for White provided the 26-year-old with a sneak peek of sorts, yielding behind-the-scenes access that simply isn’t possible during free agency visits.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 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 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
