behind the curtain

idiom

The phrase "behind the curtain" often refers to something that is hidden from public view, drawing from the theater where backstage activities are concealed from the audience.

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Definition

B2General

(figurative)Away from public view or concealed from public knowledge.

Example

Decisions about the company's future were made behind the curtain.

B2Theater

(literal)In the backstage area of a theater, not visible to the audience.

Example

The actors were preparing behind the curtain before the show started.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "behind the curtain":

behind closed doors behind the scenes curtain off behind the wire under the covers under the carpet final curtain hide behind ring down the curtain in the closet in disguise under the table behind the curve draw the curtains