behind the scenes

behind the scenes

Without being widely known or attracting attention. Referring to the private portion of a venue, operation, or production, as opposed to the public part. Let's have a round of applause for all the people who worked behind the scenes to give us such a great event! Sure, they seem happy together, but who knows what happens behind the scenes. I can't believe we're going to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the castle!
See also: behind, scene
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

behind the scenes

without receiving credit or fame; out of public view. (Referring originally to those who worked on a theatrical piece but do not appear on the stage.) The people who worked behind the scenes are the real heroes of this project. I worked behind the scenes in the play. We should thank the people who are behind the scenes of our success.
See also: behind, scene
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

behind the scenes

In secret or private, away from public view, as in His struggle for the top position took place strictly behind the scenes. This term alludes to the various activities that go on behind the curtain in theaters, out of the audience's view. [Late 1700s] Also see behind closed doors.
See also: behind, scene
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

behind the scenes

COMMON If someone does something behind the scenes, they do it in private or secretly, rather than publicly. Both countries have been working behind the scenes to try to free the hostages. The debate has been going on behind the scenes for months. Note: You can also use behind-the-scenes before a noun. The debate was postponed for a third time after another day of intensive behind-the-scenes negotiations. Note: This refers to the scenes or scenery used on the stage in the theatre, and was originally used to refer to those events in a play that took place off-stage.
See also: behind, scene
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

behind the scenes

in private; secretly.
This expression alludes to the area out of sight of the public at the back of a theatre stage.
See also: behind, scene
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

behind the ˈscenes

(of discussions, arrangements, etc.) not seen by the public: The general public knows very little about what happens behind the scenes in politics. There was a lot of behind-the-scenes activity at the peace conference.
This expression refers to the parts of the stage in a theatre which the audience cannot see.
See also: behind, scene
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

behind the scenes

1. Backstage.
2. Out of public view; in secret.
See also: behind, scene
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

behind the scenes

In private or in secret. The term comes from the theater, where, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, violent action such as a murder or execution generally took place backstage (behind the scenery). The English journalist Joseph Addison pointed out, in 1711, that this practice was followed particularly in the French theater. By the late eighteenth century the expression was used figuratively for any activity that took place out of the public eye.
See also: behind, scene
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • publicity hound
  • a Benjamin's portion
  • Benjamin's mess
  • Benjamin's portion
  • portion
  • in the public eye
  • portion out
  • denominator
  • yellow journalism
  • Caesar's wife
References in periodicals archive
"You know and I know that over the years no-one works within a football club who doesn't want it to be better so we want to keep getting better and we are trying behind the scenes."
Steve McClaren: Why I'm still optimistic Newcastle United will turn it around; Newcastle United begin 2016 in bottom three and Steve McClaren says predicament 'angers' and 'frustrates' him
Carleton, Behind the Scenes is attributed to "Elizabeth Keckley, formerly a slave, but more recently a modiste, and friend to Mrs.
Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley (1818-1907)
Fans of S4C show Rownd a Rownd can visit the set (right) and chat to cast members and crew at a behind the scenes open day on August 11
See behind scenes of hit Welsh TV show
"She was a member of the executive committee and made an extraordinary contribution behind the scenes."
Sir Albert pays tribute to Clare Short's mum, Joan
BEHIND THE SCENES: For Carnegie Mellon, the commitment to build in accordance with the US Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards is a step above the crowd: All new construction and significant renovations aim for LEED Silver designation at the Pittsburgh school.
Higher education sustainability stars
This companion to a PBS television program about aquariums provides a look behind the scenes at the New England Aquarium in Boston, the John G.
Window to the sea; behind the scenes at America's great public aquariums
The writing isn't spectacular, but the confessional aspect of seeing behind the scenes will draw readers in.
Malkin, Nina. 6x: The Uncensored Confessions
I suspected that, as in a lot of industries, jobs behind the scenes would be difficult to obtain.
Thanks for the 'Drama'
When entering the planning software selection phase, ask yourself, "How will this product consolidate behind the scenes?" The software should allow for distributed users, from across the city to across the world, to enter their data and have it all consolidate in one place, allowing budget managers to see immediate results on demand.
Choosing and implementing a software solution: preparation, planning and design can go a long way toward ensuring a successful installation of budgeting systems. So can a solid database model foundation and strong template designs
Go behind the scenes of the Siegfried & Roy show to view the CGI-animated antics and suburban life of their performing white lions.
New shows: warm up those TiVos, kids, it's time for the new fall season!
Many other small bug fixes and behind the scenes programming modifications, that the user will not readily see, should enhance the performance and outputs of TMS.
Training Management System 6.003 upgrade
Behind the scenes, a 4,000-SF animal holding building is used for housing and feeding the tigers when not out in the exhibit.
Cetra/Ruddy working on zoo exhibit. (Design and Development)
His relation to it was mainly that of editor or compiler...." The real work was accomplished behind the scenes by the cabal of globalists, socialists, and banking interests represented by House.
Irreconcilable differences. (History -- Struggle for Freedom)
Already behind the scenes of leading corporations such as IBM, Reuters, Reed Elsevier, and eBay, FAST Data Search 3.0 provides a proven, revenue-generating search solution for enterprises in e-commerce, banking/financial services, media services and independent software vendor (ISV) markets.
FAST DATA SEARCH 3.0 HELPS CORPORATIONS INCREASE ROI
After a summary introduction, Young takes up in rough chronological order: Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin; Louisa May Alcott's Hospital Sketches, Little Women, and Little Men; Elizabeth Keckley's Behind the Scenes; or, Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House (supposedly the memoirs of an African American dressmaker who worked for Mary Todd Lincoln); Loreta Janeta Velazquez's The Women in Battle (supposedly the memoirs of a white, cross-dressing Confederate soldier); Frances E.
Disarming the Nation: Women's Writing and the American Civil War