behind the scenes
Meaning(s)
1. something that happens secretly or privately rather than in public
Popularity
High
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes
Analysis
This expression is used figuratively to refer to any type of work that is carried out away from public view. That can be something done privately or even secretly. In a professional context, it often refers to negotiations or work that most do not see or know about. In a social context, it is often used to express visiting the private portion of a public venue, such as a restaurant, stadium, museum etc. Phrases with a similar meaning include 'behind closed doors,' and 'behind the curtain.'
Social Examples (Basic)
- When I visited London, I went on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Houses of Parliament.
- I love visiting restaurants where you can see the chefs and the preparation behind the scenes.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- Publicly they are saying that the deal is dead, but behind the scenes, negotiations are still ongoing.
- It may seem from the outside that the project was completed with ease, but a lot of hard work has been going on behind the scenes.