hide behind (someone or something)
1. Literally, to place oneself behind someone or something in order not to be seen, noticed, or interacted with. The child hid behind her mother when the strange man came up to talk to them. We hid behind the sofa to surprise Sarah when she came in the room. I hid behind Zach when I noticed the neighbor's dog running toward us.
2. To conceal someone or something behind someone or something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "hide" and "behind." She hid her boyfriend behind the wardrobe when her parents came up to talk to her. I have no idea why the dog loves hiding his toys behind our dresser. Luckily, I was able to hide the gift behind my back before Andrea noticed it.
3. To deflect blame, responsibility, or attention to someone or something else. I'm so sick of these CEOs hiding behind their PR mouthpieces whenever scandal strikes. You can't just hide behind your parents when you get into trouble. There's no one to hide behind when you're the manager and a massive mistake like this originates in your department.
4. To use something in order to cover up or conceal something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "hide" and "behind." It became clear that the company had been hiding its illegal activities behind its overseas subsidiary. She's hid her anguish behind a cheery smile, so no one ever suspected that she was in so much pain. I always tried to hide my weight behind baggy clothing.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
hide someone or something behind something
to use something to conceal someone or something. We hid the guests for the surprise party behind a large Oriental screen. I will hide the cake behind the screen too.
hide behind someone or something
to conceal oneself behind someone or something. The child hid behind his father. Rachel hid behind a tree.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.