behind our backs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "behind our backs" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually refers to someone doing something without the knowledge or consent of the other person or persons involved. For example, "My sister had been talking about me behind our backs for weeks, without my knowing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Now it is behind our backs".

Independent

Behind our backs the golden woods.

The New Yorker

Others are also laughing behind our backs".

The New York Times

"They tied our hands behind our backs.

The Guardian

They're using them to fight wars behind our backs.

The Guardian

"And oh, the things he said behind our backs".

The New York Times - Sports

Andy won't be making decisions behind our backs.

The Guardian - Sport

"Unless someone else pays for it, our hands are tied behind our backs," Mr. Jacobson said.

The New York Times

"They tell us to be competitive while tying our arms behind our backs".

The New Yorker

"He ambushed us" and "he went behind our backs" were two complaints widely repeated in Kabul.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Behind our backs there was treachery.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "behind our backs" to express actions or decisions made without the awareness or consent of a group. It often implies a sense of betrayal or secrecy.

Common error

Avoid using "behind our backs" when the action wasn't intentionally concealed or if there was no expectation of transparency. If the action was simply unknown but not meant to be secret, other phrases may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behind our backs" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig's examples illustrate how it adds detail about actions taken without knowledge or consent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "behind our backs" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe actions taken without the knowledge or consent of a group, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to add an adverbial modifier to verbs, highlighting secrecy or deception. With frequent usage in News & Media and Academic contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register, suitable for diverse writing scenarios. Alternatives like "without our knowledge" or "without our consent" can offer more formal alternatives. Using it implies disapproval or suspicion of concealed actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without our knowledge

Emphasizes the lack of awareness of the action.

without our consent

Highlights the lack of permission or approval.

unbeknownst to us

Highlights the element of surprise or unexpectedness.

in our absence

Focuses on the physical absence during the action.

behind the scenes

Focuses on activities happening out of public view.

secretly

Simply indicates the action was done in secret.

covertly

Suggests a hidden or disguised manner.

surreptitiously

Implies an action done stealthily to avoid detection.

on the sly

Informal way to say secretly.

in secret

A more direct way of saying secretly.

FAQs

How can I use "behind our backs" in a sentence?

You can use "behind our backs" to describe situations where actions are taken without your knowledge or consent. For example, "They negotiated the deal "behind our backs"."

What's a more formal alternative to "behind our backs"?

More formal alternatives include "without our knowledge" or "without our consent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative when someone does something "behind our backs"?

Typically, using the phrase "behind our backs" implies a negative connotation, suggesting secrecy, betrayal, or lack of transparency. However, the specific context determines the exact implication.

What's the difference between "behind our backs" and "behind the scenes"?

"Behind our backs" suggests something is done without our knowledge, often with negative implications, while "behind the scenes" simply means something is done privately or out of public view, without necessarily implying secrecy or betrayal.