behind closed doors
/bɪˈhaɪnd kloʊzd dɔːrz/
Meaning
Taking place in private, away from the public eye, or without the knowledge of ordinary employees or citizens. It often implies that decisions are being made secretly or confidentially.
Examples
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Most of the major executive decisions are made behind closed doors before they are announced to the staff.
Most of the major executive decisions are made behind closed doors before they are announced to the staff.
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I wonder what they are discussing behind closed doors in that board meeting.
I wonder what they are discussing behind closed doors in that board meeting.
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The deal was negotiated behind closed doors, leaving the rest of the team in the dark.
The deal was negotiated behind closed doors, leaving the rest of the team in the dark.
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We can't just make these changes behind closed doors; we need to be transparent with our clients.
We can't just make these changes behind closed doors; we need to be transparent with our clients.
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They resolved the dispute behind closed doors to avoid any negative publicity.
They resolved the dispute behind closed doors to avoid any negative publicity.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The meeting happened behind close doors.
✓ The meeting happened behind closed doors.
The past participle adjective 'closed' (with '-ed') must be used, not the verb/adjective 'close'.
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✗ They negotiated the contract under closed doors.
✓ They negotiated the contract behind closed doors.
The correct preposition for this idiomatic phrase is always 'behind', not 'under' or 'in'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The board of directors met ___ to discuss the upcoming layoffs.
💡 In private or secretly.
Show answer
behind closed doors
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Employees are unhappy because major policy changes are being decided ___.
💡 Without public transparency.
Show answer
behind closed doors