behind (one's) back
behind (one's) back
In one's absence. The phrase typically suggests wrongdoing or deceit. I can't believe you were gossiping about me behind my back! Tom will be upset that we already made the decision behind his back.
See also: back, behind
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
behind someone's back
without someone's knowledge; secret from someone. Please don't talk about me behind my back. She sold the car behind his back, while he was away on vacation.
See also: back, behind
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
behind someone's back
Out of one's presence or without someone's knowledge, as in Joan has a nasty way of maligning her friends behind their backs. Sir Thomas Malory used this metaphoric term in Le Morte d'Arthur (c. 1470): "To say of me wrong or shame behind my back." [Early 1300s]
See also: back, behind
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
do something behind someone's back
COMMON If someone does something behind your back, they do it secretly, to harm you. It's horrible to have people laughing at you behind your back. He's been arranging all this behind my back.
See also: back, behind, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
behind someone's back
without a person's knowledge and in an unfair or dishonourable way.See also: back, behind
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
behind somebody’s ˈback
without somebody knowing, especially because they would not like it: I feel guilty about going behind his back and complaining to the boss. People were often very rude about her behind her back. OPPOSITE: to somebody’s faceSee also: back, behind
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
behind (one's) back
In one's absence or without one's knowledge.
See also: back, behind
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- behind back
- behind somebody's back
- behind someone's back
- do something behind someone's back
- go behind (one's) back
- go behind back
- go behind someone's back
- burner
- back burner
- backburner