told behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told behind" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear in what context it could be used, as it does not form a standard expression or idiom. Example: "He was told behind closed doors about the decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Letters to and from 10 Downing Street and cabinet minutes that show what Mrs, now Lady, Thatcher was discussing and being told behind the scenes have been made public for the first time by BBC Radio 4's The World at One.

BBC

This is evident in the melodic songs "Truth Be Told", "Behind The Throne" and "Unbeliever".

Wikipedia

That is the story told behind and through Karole Armitage's latest piece, On the Nature of Things, currently running at the American Museum of Natural History.

Huffington Post

Mr. Gbagbo has heard loudly -- now I believe that he needs to be told behind closed doors, softly but pointedly -- that his time is up.

Huffington Post

If it wasn't happening to us, it was happening to someone we knew; maybe it was name-calling, or a vicious rumour told behind our backs.

Vice

The journalist whose career lay in ruins asked for dozens of millions in damages and that ( I'm told behind the scenes) is pretty much what she got.. Beyond all that, I still cannot get over feeling as if those involved in this case are yelling "A tree's on fire, a tree's on fire!" when the whole forest if burning.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There are tales to tell behind each.

The New York Times

"With coffee, it's about the ritual of how you prepare it, the story you tell behind it," Mr. Adamson said.

The New York Times

Everyone has stories to tell behind a tattoo.

Huffington Post

"All the Things That Are Wrong With Me" is also told from behind bars.

The New York Times - Books

However, I am told that behind the scenes the watchdog has made it clear to NHS England and ministers there is a case to answer.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "told behind" with more precise alternatives such as "revealed privately" or "shared confidentially" to avoid ambiguity. Ensure the substitute reflects the intended context, such as secrecy, privacy, or background information.

Common error

Avoid using "told behind" when you mean something was revealed in secret or explained with additional context. This phrase is not a standard idiom and can lead to confusion. Instead, use established phrases that accurately convey your intended meaning such as "revealed privately" or "explained the background".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told behind" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI suggests it can describe information shared in a non-public setting or an explanation providing additional context or background, although its unconventional usage may lead to ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "told behind" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as a phrase that "is not correct" and lacks clear conventional usage. It generally aims to express information shared privately or providing additional background. Clearer and more precise alternatives include "revealed privately", "explained with context" or "shared confidentially". Its non-standard nature makes it less suitable for formal writing. Overall, opting for established phrases ensures clarity and avoids potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealed in private

Focuses on the act of making something known discreetly or confidentially.

shared confidentially

Highlights the trusted nature of sharing information with a limited audience.

whispered about

Emphasizes the secretive and often speculative nature of the information being shared.

disclosed in secrecy

Underlines the hidden or clandestine manner of the revelation.

narrated sub rosa

Uses a Latin term to indicate the telling of something in secret.

related off the record

Indicates that the information is being shared unofficially and should not be publicly attributed.

the untold story

Refers to a narrative that has not yet been revealed or widely known.

what wasn't said publicly

Focuses on the information that was deliberately omitted from public discussion.

behind-the-scenes account

Highlights an explanation from a perspective not generally known, or an unusual perspective.

the story behind

Highlights an explanation of the history or circumstances that gave rise to something.

FAQs

What does "told behind" mean?

The phrase "told behind" is not a standard English expression and lacks a clear, universally understood meaning. Its interpretation depends heavily on context, potentially referring to information shared privately or explanations providing background details.

How can I use "told behind" correctly?

Given that "told behind" isn't a recognized idiom, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives such as "revealed in private" or "explained the reasons" to prevent confusion.

What are some alternatives to "told behind"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can replace "told behind" with phrases like "shared confidentially", "explained the logic" or "revealed the story". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize secrecy, background information, or reasoning.

Is "told behind closed doors" a correct way to use the phrase?

While "told behind" is generally not recommended, the phrase "told behind closed doors" is an established idiom meaning something was discussed or revealed in private. It's a more acceptable usage, but clearer alternatives like "discussed privately" still improve clarity.