talk behind someone's back

Meaning

This phrase means to discuss, criticize, or gossip about someone when they are not present to hear it. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying untrustworthiness, cowardice, or betrayal. It is a very common casual expression used when discussing social drama or workplace politics.

Examples

• If you have an issue with me, say it to my face instead of talking behind my back.

  If you have an issue with me, say it to my face instead of talking behind my back.

• I can't trust coworkers who talk behind people's backs.

  I can't trust coworkers who talk behind people's backs.

• She found out that her best friend had been talking behind her back for months.

  She found out that her best friend had been talking behind her back for months.

• It's highly unprofessional to talk behind your manager's back.

  It's highly unprofessional to talk behind your manager's back.

• They were talking behind his back, but he walked into the room and caught them.

  They were talking behind his back, but he walked into the room and caught them.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They talked behind my spine.

  ✓ They talked behind my back.

  The idiom specifically uses 'back.' Even though 'spine' is anatomically close, it cannot be used in this figurative expression.

• ✗ Don't talk behind his back side.

  ✓ Don't talk behind his back.

  'Backside' means rear end or buttocks, which completely changes the meaning and sounds highly inappropriate. Use 'back.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• I hate when people ________ instead of being honest.

  💡 Gossip about me when I'm not there.

  Show answer

  talk behind my back

• Stop ________; if you have a problem, tell him directly.

  💡 Use the -ing form of the verb.

  Show answer

  talking behind his back