English Profile

behind · preposition

/bəˈhɑɪnd/Full view

behind (BACK)

A1 at or to the back of someone or something

Dictionary examples:

Close the door behind you.

Their office is behind the main building.

Learner example:

I think [we should meet] in front of the restaurant, behind the library. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

behind (SLOWER)

B1 slower or less successful than someone or something

Dictionary examples:

The project is already behind schedule.

Baltimore is still three games behind Milwaukee.

The tests are used to identify students who are falling behind.

Learner example:

I have already told Lissa, and she'll lend me her copy book so I don't get behind. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

behind (SUPPORTING)

B1 giving your help or support to someone

Dictionary example:

The group is 100 percent behind her.

Learner example:

He is very nice because if you have problems he is always behind you to help you. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

behind bars

B2 in prison

Dictionary example:

Until the court hearing, they will remain behind bars.

Learner example:

He confessed that he was guilty and was put behind bars. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

behind (CAUSING)

C1 causing something, or responsible for something

Dictionary example:

What was the reason behind her decision to leave?

Learner example:

Another reason behind this kind of thinking is that some boys feel a[w]kward when they see girls and they think they are being ignored in the class. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Hindi)

behind (NOT AFFECTING)

C2 If a bad experience or your own bad behavior is behind you, it does not exist or affect your life now.

Dictionary example:

He's put his troubled past behind him.

Learner example:

We have got to put the past behind us. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

behind the times

C1 not fashionable or modern

Dictionary example:

Dad's a bit behind the times.

Learner example:

We [should] improve our equipment. Otherwise we will be behind the times. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Turkish)

behind sb's back

C2 If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without them knowing, often in an unfair way.

Dictionary example:

Have they been saying things about me behind my back?

Learner example:

The food must be perfect, too, or else her mother-in-law and my father's sisters will think that she's not a proper wife, and will probably say insulting things about her behind her back. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

behind closed doors

C2 privately and not in public

Dictionary example:

Most of the deals were made behind closed doors.

Learner example:

Decisions which affect the whole world are made behind closed doors and are top secret. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

behind the scenes

C2 If something happens behind the scenes, it happens secretly.

Dictionary example:

A lot of hard work has been going on behind the scenes.

Learner example:

Ms. Bolam knew a lot of things going on behind the scenes, [which were] not [known to] the patients. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

behind · adverb

/bəˈhɑɪnd/

behind (BACK)

B1 at or to the back of someone or something

Dictionary example:

Somebody grabbed me from behind.

Learner example:

An old man appeared from behind wearing the same clothes [as] the owner of the phone and asked [her] for it. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

behind (SLOWER)

C1 slower or later than someone else, or than you should be

Dictionary example:

She's behind on the rent.

Learner example:

Those children who do not get this at home are the ones who are behind in their schoolwork. (International English Language Testing System; B2; Hindi)