hide behind

hide behind (someone or something)

1. Literally, to place oneself behind someone or something in order not to be seen, noticed, or interacted with. The child hid behind her mother when the strange man came up to talk to them. We hid behind the sofa to surprise Sarah when she came in the room.
2. To conceal someone or something behind someone or something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "hide" and "behind." She hid her boyfriend behind the wardrobe when her parents came up to talk to her. I have no idea why the dog loves hiding his toys behind our dresser.
3. To deflect blame, responsibility, or attention to someone or something else. I'm so sick of these CEOs hiding behind their PR mouthpieces whenever scandal strikes. You can't just hide behind your parents when you get into trouble.
4. To use something in order to cover up or conceal something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "hide" and "behind." It became clear that the company had been hiding its illegal activities behind its overseas subsidiary. She's hid her anguish behind a cheery smile, so no one ever suspected that she was in so much pain. I always tried to hide my weight behind baggy clothing.
See also: behind, hide
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hide someone or something behind something

to use something to conceal someone or something. We hid the guests for the surprise party behind a large Oriental screen. I will hide the cake behind the screen too.
See also: behind, hide

hide behind someone or something

to conceal oneself behind someone or something. The child hid behind his father. Rachel hid behind a tree.
See also: behind, hide
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • hide behind (someone or something)
  • get behind
  • get behind (someone or something)
  • get behind someone/something
  • get behind something
  • take cover
  • run behind
  • watch (one's) six
  • check (one's) six
  • check your six
References in periodicals archive
He should not hide behind the NAB after the arrest of Shehbaz Sharif," Hamza said, while speaking to media here.
Hamza urges PM Khan not to hide behind NAB
"Do not try to hide behind the Cabinet when they don't agree with you on this and are trying to clear up the mess.
PM 'hid from blame' for Windrush crisis; Labour MP launches blistering attack on May
[USA], Mar 27 ( ANI ): Gone are those days when people used to hide behind their hats due to pimple or zist.
Pimple is the next big thing in fashion, proves Justin Bieber
Summary: Acclaimed actress says she prefers to hide behind her characters as she's uncomfortable being herself on screen
Why Kalki Koechlin does not do TV shows
However, everyone should be careful not to join the extremists under the pretext of supporting the Syrian brothers, or to hide behind religious slogans for irresponsible objectives." Hariri said: "Responsibility imposes on me to speak honestly with you and alert the youth of the dangers.
Hariri meets with families of Islamist detainees
they will hide behind their lies to let their voices appear from
In the Beginning Was the Rat
Sumrall, MS, September 05, 2016 --(PR.com)-- On a day-to-day basis many of us hide behind our "person suit" - the outer facade of happiness and positivity that we showcase to others to avoid revealing our suffering.
Free for a Limited Time! "Person Suit" from Dreaming Big Publications
Daily Mail THE Daily Mail's Been at it again Our Liverpool girls You try and shame Ladies' Day is a great event Our hard-working girls Their money they've spent On beautiful outfits That don't come cheap Only to be snapped By a Daily Mail creep Don't hide behind walls Getting ready to snap At someone who's just fallen asleep in their lap Or a few who have sat on the floor for a rest They're doing nothing wrong Still looking their best Then the poor girls Who've had too much to drink Your snapping away before they can blink But Daily Mail we have news for you We fought The Sun And we'll fight you too Do you get a good bonus For dragging us down?
Your Poem
With the words, you have given the reader something to hide behind. I always preferred an education that taught me how to think, not what to think.
No political affiliations
This particular defamatory film is itself a violent and hateful crime against the religion of Islam and the US government cannot hide behind the freedom of expression excuse.
Sacrilegious film: Imran Khan condemns weak response of govt
"Imran says Nawaz Sharif should not hide behind his family, i would ask him not to hide behind the Shaukat Khanam Cancer Hospital," the PML-N stalwart added.
Ch. Nisar challenges Imran to prove charges against Sharif brothers in courts
He said he had to hide behind his vehicle as yobs hurled firebombs at him in Sehla last November.
Molotov raid five jailed
I hide behind a photocopier, peeping out of a window in case they see me but they only seem to want to rake through the bins.
Dream man
It's easy to hide behind the search for "consensus." It's even easier to hide behind the colonial wrappings of Mother England and her "established church."
Take leadership, forget about moratorium