behind-the-scenes
UK: bɪˌhaɪnd ðə ˈsiːnz | US: bɪˌhaɪnd ðə ˈsiːnz
adj. relating to or involving activities that happen privately and are not seen by the public
adv. in a way that is not visible or known to the public
The phrase "behind-the-scenes" originated in the theater, where "scenes" referred to the visible parts of a stage performance, while "behind" denoted the hidden areas where preparations occurred. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe any private or unseen aspects of an activity, emphasizing the contrast between public presentation and hidden workings.
The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at film production.
She works behind-the-scenes to organize major events.
Behind-the-scenes negotiations resolved the conflict quietly.
The book reveals behind-the-scenes details of the political campaign.
His behind-the-scenes efforts were crucial to the project's success.