behind closed doors
Meaning
In private; secretly; away from public view, often implying confidentiality or lack of transparency.
Origin
From the literal image of discussions happening with doors shut to keep others out; used for private meetings and negotiations, later extended to secretive decision-making.
Notes
Often neutral (“in private”), but can imply secrecy or lack of transparency, especially in politics/business (“decided behind closed doors”).
Examples
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The negotiations continued behind closed doors until both sides agreed on the final terms.
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She praised the team publicly, but behind closed doors she was furious about the missed deadline.
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The board discussed the CEO’s resignation behind closed doors to avoid speculation.
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They seem like a perfect couple, but behind closed doors they argue a lot.
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Most of the planning for the product launch happened behind closed doors before the announcement.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually an adverbial prepositional phrase: "talk/meet/negotiate behind closed doors" or "(be) decided behind closed doors." Typically plural "doors"; "closed" is fixed.
Synonyms
- in private
- privately
- in secret
- secretly
- out of public view
Antonyms
- in public
- openly
- in the open
- out in the open