behind his back

USAGE SUMMARY

"behind his back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that someone is saying or doing without the knowledge of the person it's about. For example, "He kept his true feelings behind his back and acted as if everything was okay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He holds his hands behind his back.

The New Yorker

His hands are bound behind his back.

The New York Times

Lombardi has his hands behind his back.

The New York Times - Sports

When I can curse my lord behind his back.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His own hands, he added, would stay behind his back.

Princeton University

His hands were bound behind his back.

The Guardian

You say it behind his back".

The New York Times

His racquet meanwhile dangles behind his back.

The New Yorker

Ballerinas made faces behind his back.

The New York Times - Magazine

Others whispered insults behind his back.

The New York Times

People call Bush "the President," even behind his back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "behind his back" to clearly indicate that an action or statement is made without the knowledge or consent of the person being discussed. This helps to highlight potential deception or lack of transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "behind his back" when you simply mean someone is not present. The phrase carries a connotation of secrecy or disapproval, so ensure the context warrants this implication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behind his back" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig's examples show it describing how something is done secretly or without someone's knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

21%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "behind his back" is a common and useful way to describe actions or statements made without someone's knowledge, often implying a degree of secrecy or disapproval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Usage spans from News & Media to Academic writing, although it's less common in strictly formal or scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, consider its inherent connotation of secrecy and possible negativity, and ensure it aligns with your intended meaning. Alternatives like "unbeknownst to him" or "without his knowledge" may be more appropriate if you wish to avoid any negative implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when his back was turned

Similar to "behind his back", but emphasizes a moment of inattention.

without his knowledge

Directly states that he wasn't informed.

in secret from him

Highlights the covert manner of the action.

unbeknownst to him

Implies that something happened without his awareness.

on the sly

Indicates a sneaky or secretive approach.

when he wasn't looking

Emphasizes the surreptitious nature of the action.

surreptitiously

Formally describes an action done secretly.

in his absence

Highlights that the action occurred when he wasn't present.

out of his sight

Focuses on the physical act of being unseen.

behind his shield

Suggests secrecy and indirectness.

FAQs

How can I use "behind his back" in a sentence?

Use "behind his back" to describe actions or words done or said without someone's knowledge, often implying disapproval or secrecy. For instance, "They criticized the manager "behind his back"."

What are some alternatives to saying "behind his back"?

You can use phrases like "unbeknownst to him", "without his knowledge", or "in his absence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to do something "behind his back"?

While often negative, implying secrecy or disapproval, doing something "behind his back" isn't inherently bad. It depends on the context and intentions. Sometimes, it might be necessary to avoid conflict or get something done that would otherwise be blocked.

What's the difference between "behind his back" and "in his absence"?

"Behind his back" implies secrecy and possibly negative intent, while "in his absence" simply means that something happened when the person was not present, without necessarily any negative connotations. For example, "The decision was made in his absence", versus "They plotted against him behind his back".