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
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Bieber also shared some behind-the-scenes photos from her latest getaway, including kneeling on the ground while wearing a sunny yellow bikini set.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Subscribe here to get our newsletter, Rachel Goes to the Games, delivered to your inbox for a behind-the-scenes look at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
Both extended clips start with the full '90s-riddled video before unfolding into different behind-the-scenes cuts that reveal how the concept was born and how meticulously it was executed.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behind the scenes
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Adjective
Tutu, the new documentary from Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI, 4 Little Girls), is a behind-the-scenes look at the life of the smiling, joyous rebel clergyman who helped end Apartheid.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Bieber also shared some behind-the-scenes photos from her latest getaway, including kneeling on the ground while wearing a sunny yellow bikini set.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Subscribe here to get our newsletter, Rachel Goes to the Games, delivered to your inbox for a behind-the-scenes look at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
Both extended clips start with the full '90s-riddled video before unfolding into different behind-the-scenes cuts that reveal how the concept was born and how meticulously it was executed.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 13 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 18 Feb. 2026.
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