In addition to the uses shown below, behind is also used in a few phrasal verbs, such as 'fall behind' and 'lie behind'.
1. preposition
If something is behind a thing or person, it is on the other side of them from you, or nearer their backrather than their front.
I put one of the cushions behind his head.
They were parked behind the truck.
The moon disappeared behind a cloud.
Synonyms: at the rear of, at the back of, on the other side of, on the far side of More Synonyms of behind
Behind is also an adverb.
Rising into the hills behind are 800 acres of parkland.
She was attacked from behind.
2. preposition
If you are walking or travelling behind someone or something, you are following them.
Keith wandered along behind him.
Myra and Sam and the children were driving behind them.
Synonyms: after, following, in the wake of, on the heels of More Synonyms of behind
Behind is also an adverb.
The troopers followed behind, every muscle tensed for the sudden gunfire.
3. preposition
If someone is behind a desk, counter, or bar, they are on the other side of it from where you are.
The colonel was sitting behind a cheap wooden desk.
He could just about see the little man behind the counter.
4. preposition
When you shut a door or gate behind you, you shut it after you have gone through it.
I walked out and closed the door behind me.
He slammed the gate shut behind him.
5. preposition
The people, reason, or events behind a situation are the causes of it or are responsible for it.
It is still not clear who was behind the killing.
He is embarrassed about the motives behind his decision.
6. preposition
If something or someone is behind you, they support you and help you.
He had the state's judicial power behind him.
Synonyms: supporting, for, backing, on the side of More Synonyms of behind
7. preposition
If you refer to what is behind someone's outside appearance, you are referring to a characteristic which you cannot immediately see or is not obvious, but which you think is there.
What lay behind his anger was really the hurt he felt at Grace's refusal.
Behind the smiling eyes lurks the evil that led her to murder the two babies in hercare.
8. preposition
If you are behind someone, you are less successful than them, or have done less or advanced less.
She finished second behind the American in the 800 metres.
Food production has already fallen behind the population growth.
Behind is also an adverb.
The rapid development of technology means that she is now far behind, and will needretraining.
The accounts are more than three months behind.
9. preposition
If an experience is behind you, it happened in your past and will not happen again, or no longer affects you.
Maureen put the nightmare behind her.
He will attempt to put behind him the misery of failing to win a medal in his individualevent.
10. preposition
If you have a particular achievement behind you, you have managed to reach this achievement, and other people consider it to be important or valuable.
He has 20 years of loyal service to Barclays Bank behind him.
Birgit was a popular actress with half a decade of filmmaking behind her.
11. preposition
If something is behind schedule, it is not as far advanced as people had planned. If someone is behind schedule, they are not progressing as quickly at something as they had planned.
The work is 22 weeks behind schedule.
We were two months behind schedule, and already over budget.
Synonyms: later than, after More Synonyms of behind
12. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you stay behind, you remain in a place after other people have gone.
If they've disrupted a lesson or been rude to a member of staff, they have to staybehind until six o'clock.
About 1,200 personnel will remain behind to take care of the air base.
13. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you leave something or someone behind, you do not take them with you when you go.
The rebels fled into the mountains, leaving behind their weapons and supplies.
They moved to Vancouver, leaving her father behind to run his business.
14. to do something behind someone's back
15. behind bars
16. behind the scenes
17. behind the times
More Synonyms of behind
English Easy Learning GrammarPrepositionsA preposition is one of a small but very common group of words that relate differentitems to each other. Most English prepositions have a number of meanings ... Read more
behind noun use
(bɪhaɪnd)
Word forms: plural behinds
countable noun
Your behind is the part of your body that you sit on.
Synonyms: bottom [informal], seat, bum [British, slang], butt [informal] More Synonyms of behind
behind in British English
(bɪˈhaɪnd)
preposition
1.
in or to a position further back than; at the rear of; at the back of
2.
in the past in relation to
I've got the exams behind me now
3.
late according to; not keeping up with
running behind schedule
4.
concerning the circumstances surrounding
the reasons behind his departure
5.
backing or supporting
I'm right behind you in your application
adverb
6.
in or to a position further back; following
7.
remaining after someone's departure
she left it behind
8.
in debt; in arrears
to fall behind with payments
adjective
9. (postpositive)
in a position further back; retarded
the car behind started to overtake
noun
10. informal
the buttocks
11. Australian Rules football
a score of one point made by kicking the ball over the behind line between a goalpost and one of the smaller outer posts (behind posts)
Word origin
Old English behindan
behind in American English
(biˈhaɪnd; bɪˈhaɪnd)
adverb
1.
in or to the rear or back
to walk behind, to look behind
2.
at an earlier time; in the past
my joy lies behind
3.
in a former place, condition, etc.
the girl he left behind
4.
in or into a retarded state
to drop behind in one's studies
5.
in or into arrears
to fall behind in one's dues
6.
slow in time; late
the train was running behind
7. Archaic
in reserve; yet to come
preposition
8.
remaining after
the dead leave their wealth behind them
9.
a.
in the rear of; in back of
he sat behind me
b.
following at the rear of
10.
inferior to in position, achievement, etc.
11.
later than; delayed with respect to
to be behind schedule
12.
on the other or farther side of; beyond
behind the hill
13.
gone by or ended for; out of the attention or concern of
his apprenticeship was behind him
14.
a.
supporting
fans solidly behind their team
b.
prompting or instigating
the mastermind behind the plot
15.
a.
hidden by; not yet revealed about
there's something behind this news
b.
in the circumstances surrounding or antecedent to
adjective
16.
that follows, as in a line
the person behind
noun
17. Informal
the buttocks
Word origin
ME bihinden < OE behindan: see be- & hind1
More idioms containing
behind
someone can do something with one hand tied behind their back
have to do something with one hand tied behind your back
wet behind the ears
do something behind closed doors
behind the eight ball
say something behind someone's back
do something behind someone's back
go behind someone's back
the power behind the throne
behind the scenes
throw your weight behind someone or something
Examples of 'behind' in a sentence
behind
They finished the season just one point behind the champions.
The Sun (2016)
What do you hope they leave behind when coming to your series?
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The crowd really get behind me and it gives me that extra gear.
The Sun (2016)
That gives you some idea of how far behind we are.
Computing (2010)
People began organising meetings behind my back.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Just tell her you want to put the past behind you.
The Sun (2016)
Figures show far fewer motorists are caught for using mobiles behind the wheel after cuts to frontline officers.
The Sun (2017)
If it did, staying behind meant enduring lives of servitude.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
There were shouts from behind us to sit down, but there were rows of fans stood up in front.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It would mean so much if you would get behind it again this year.
The Sun (2015)
Its engine has been pulled back behind the front axle to improve weight distribution.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They will always stay behind with you after class and try and help you.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The past is behind us and we are moving on.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It teaches you not only to watch your opponent but also to get behind his mindset.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Only the most resistant blocks remain behind.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
They were already behind the curve over the need for a public inquiry.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Can you explain the stories behind two or three of the tracks?
The Sun (2012)
The further behind the competitor the more focused the applause.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You can tune in to what goes on behind the scenes and this helps you make progress.
The Sun (2014)
Two others worthy of attention take us behind the scenes.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Until then cops will be fighting crime with one arm tied behind their back.
The Sun (2006)
Who is the man behind the yellow ties and the catchy soundbites?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Hopefully the fans will get behind us again.
The Sun (2009)
The people in line behind me were getting impatient.
Sidney Sheldon The Other Side of Me
Why are you so far behind?
The Sun (2012)
And always leave a mess behind.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Conspiracy sits closely behind controversy at Chelsea.
The Sun (2015)
A placid woman in uniform was sitting behind the raised desk.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
No matter what the outcome, this family is fractured and most likely damaged behind the point of repair.
The Sun (2014)
The victory keeps the Bees in third spot just three points behind leaders Wolves.
The Sun (2014)
AN army major who nicked 100,000 from war heroes' charities was back behind bars yesterday after stealing from his wife and family.
The Sun (2012)
In other languages
behind
British English: behind /bɪˈhaɪnd/ ADVERB
Behind means in or to a position further back.
The parkland spreads into the hills behind.
American English: behind
Arabic: وَراءَ
Brazilian Portuguese: atrás
Chinese: 在后面
Croatian: straga
Czech: vzadu
Danish: tilbage
Dutch: erachter
European Spanish: detrás
Finnish: takana
French: derrière
German: hinten
Greek: πίσω
Italian: dietro
Japanese: 後ろに
Korean: 뒤에
Norwegian: bak
Polish: z tyłu
European Portuguese: atrás
Romanian: din spate
Russian: сзади
Latin American Spanish: detrás
Swedish: bakom
Thai: ข้างหลัง
Turkish: arkasında
Ukrainian: позаду
Vietnamese: ở đằng sau
British English: behind /bɪˈhaɪnd/ NOUN
Your behind is the part of your body that you sit on.
American English: behind
Arabic: دُبُر
Brazilian Portuguese: nádegas
Chinese: 后面
Croatian: stražnjica
Czech: zadek
Danish: bagdel
Dutch: achterste
European Spanish: trasero
Finnish: takapuoli
French: derrière
German: Hinterteil
Greek: οπίσθια
Italian: posteriore
Japanese: 臀部
Korean: 엉덩이
Norwegian: ende
Polish: tyłek
European Portuguese: rabo
Romanian: fund
Russian: ягодицы
Latin American Spanish: trasero parte posterior
Swedish: bak ej fram
Thai: หลัง
Turkish: arka
Ukrainian: зад
Vietnamese: mông
British English: behind /bɪˈhaɪnd/ PREPOSITION
If something is behind another thing, it is at the back of it.
He stood behind his desk.
American English: behind
Arabic: خَلْفَ
Brazilian Portuguese: atrás de
Chinese: 在...后面
Croatian: iza
Czech: za
Danish: bag
Dutch: achter
European Spanish: detrás de
Finnish: takana
French: derrière
German: hinter
Greek: πίσω από
Italian: dietro
Japanese: ･･･の後ろに
Korean: ...의 뒤에
Norwegian: bak
Polish: za
European Portuguese: atrás de
Romanian: în spatele
Russian: сзади
Latin American Spanish: detrás de
Swedish: bakom
Thai: หลังจาก
Turkish: arkada
Ukrainian: за
Vietnamese: ở đằng sau
All related terms of 'behind'
behind bars
If you say that someone is behind bars , you mean that they are in prison.
behind line
the line over which the ball must be kicked to score a behind
behind post
one of the smaller outer posts inside which the ball must be kicked to score a behind
behind time
late
drop behind
to be outdistanced; fall behind
fall behind
If you fall behind , you do not make progress or move forward as fast as other people.
get behind
to move to the rear of
hang behind
to remain in a place after others have left ; linger
lie behind
If you refer to what lies behind a situation or event, you are referring to the reason the situation exists or the event happened .
leave behind
If you leave someone or something behind , you go away permanently from them.
rushed behind
a situation when the ball passes through the goalposts but was last touched by a defending player, causing the attacking team to win a point
behind one's back
without one's knowledge ; secretly or deceitfully
behind the curve
behind the times; behind schedule
behind the scenes
If something is done behind the scenes , it is done secretly rather than publicly .
behind the times
You can use the times to refer to the present time and to modern fashions , tastes , and developments . For example , if you say that someone keeps up with the times , you mean they are fashionable or aware of modern developments. If you say they are behind the times , you mean they are unfashionable or not aware of them.
behind closed doors
If people have talks and discussions behind closed doors , they have them in private because they want them to be kept secret .
behind someone's back
without someone's knowledge or consent
behind the eightball
in a difficult , disadvantageous , or uncomfortable situation
behind the eight ball
in trouble or in a difficult situation
wet behind the ears
If you say that someone is still wet behind the ears , you mean that they have only recently arrived in a new place or job , and are therefore still not experienced.
go behind someone's back
to do something secretly or without getting someone's permission , often in order to deliberately upset them
not dry behind the ears
immature ; inexperienced; naive
throw one's weight behind
If you throw your weight behind a person, plan , or campaign , you use all your influence and do everything you can to support them.
the power behind the throne
a person who has all the power and control in an organization or situation , although someone else may appear to rule
at the wheel
driving or steering a vehicle or vessel
burn one's bridges (behind one)
to commit oneself to a course from which there is no retreat
do something behind closed doors
to do something in private because you want it to be kept secret
do something behind someone's back
to do something secretly in order to harm someone
say something behind someone's back
to say unkind and unpleasant things about someone to other people
to do something behind someone's back
If you say that something was done behind someone's back , you disapprove of it because it was done without them knowing about it, in an unfair or dishonest way .
throw your weight behind someone or something
to do everything you can to support a person, plan , or campaign
have to do something with one hand tied behind your back
to have a disadvantage which makes it difficult for you to succeed in doing something
someone can do something with one hand tied behind their back
said to mean that someone can do something very easily
Chinese translation of 'behind'
behind
(bɪˈhaɪnd)
prep
(= at the back of) 在 ... 后(後)面 (zài ... hòumian)
⇒ Behind the cottage was a shed.在小屋的后面是一个棚子。 (Zài xiǎowū de hòumian shì yī gè péngzi.)
(= supporting) 支持 (zhīchí)
⇒ The country is behind the President.整个国家都支持总统。 (Zhěnggè guójiā dōu zhīchí zǒngtǒng.)