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behind closed doors
/bɪˈhaɪnd kloʊzd dɔrz/◆idiom
secretly or privately
The negotiations were conducted behind closed doors.
The talks happened secretly, away from public view.
formal
In secret; not openly or publicly.
The company’s financial issues were discussed behind closed doors.
The financial problems were handled privately, not in public.
Decisions about the merger were made behind closed doors.
The merger decisions were kept confidential until announced.
Often used to describe actions or discussions kept hidden from the public.
Collocations
conducted behind closed doorsdone secretlyhappened behind closed doorsoccurred privately
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal interpretation
Do not confuse this with the actual physical act of being behind a door. It always implies secrecy or privacy in a figurative sense.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'behind closed doors' when describing actions that are intentionally kept hidden from the public, not just any private event.
Word Origin
The phrase dates back to the 17th century, referring to literal closed doors (e.g., in a meeting room) where discussions could not be overheard. Over time, it evolved to symbolize secrecy or hidden actions.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in political, business, or social contexts to imply that something was decided or done without transparency.
Word Breakdown
behind
in a position indicating concealment or secrecy
prepositionclosed doors
a literal or figurative barrier preventing observation
noun phraseEnglish Dictionary