Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Happening or done in secret, not known or seen by the public: Refers to activities, decisions, or influences that are private, confidential, or not officially acknowledged.
   • Relating to the hidden work that makes a public event or production possible: Pertaining to the private efforts, planning, or labor that supports a public outcome.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The CEO made several behind-the-scenes deals to secure the merger. (The CEO made several secret deals to secure the merger.)
  • A lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into making a film. (A lot of hidden work goes into making a film.)
  • The negotiations were entirely behind-the-scenes. (The negotiations were entirely secret.)

Advanced Usage

• "to work behind-the-scenes": to work in a private, supportive, or secretive capacity to influence an outcome.
  • She worked behind-the-scenes to get the new policy approved. (She worked privately to get the new policy approved.)
• "a behind-the-scenes look": a view or account of the private, hidden aspects of something.
  • The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the royal family. (The documentary offers a private view of the royal family.)

Variants and Related Words

• Backstage (adj/adv): In or to the area behind the stage in a theater; by extension, meaning in private or secretly.
  • The actors waited backstage. (The actors waited behind the stage.)
• Under-the-table (adj): Done secretly and often illegally.
  • He received under-the-table payments. (He received secret, illegal payments.)
• Sub rosa (adj/adv): Happening or done in secret (from Latin, literally 'under the rose').
  • The committee held sub rosa meetings. (The committee held secret meetings.)

Synonyms

• Confidential: Intended to be kept secret.
• Covert: Not openly acknowledged or displayed.
• Private: Belonging to or for the use of one particular person or group only; not public.
• Unseen: Not seen or noticed.

Related Phrases

• Behind closed doors: In private, away from public view.
  • The decision was made behind closed doors. (The decision was made in private.)
• Out of the public eye: Not seen or known by the general public.
  • The author lives mostly out of the public eye. (The author lives mostly unknown to the public.)

Related Idioms

• Pull the strings: To control events or the actions of other people secretly.
  • It's rumored that his advisor is the one pulling the strings behind-the-scenes. (It's rumored that his advisor is the one secretly controlling things.)
• The power behind the throne: A person who exerts great influence over a leader or organization without having an official public role.
  • She was the real power behind-the-scenes of the company. (She was the real, unofficial power in the company.)

Adjective

1. designed and carried out secretly or confidentially
   • a sub-rosa report
   • has their under-the-table backing