hide behind

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To use someone or something as a shield in order to avoid taking responsibility for something; to avoid attention by using someone or something as a shield.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

sử dụng ai đó hoặc thứ gì đó làm lá chắn để tránh trách nhiệm

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Don't hide behind your spokesman, speak for yourself!

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hide, behind.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Sử dụng ngoài nghĩa đen hoặc thành ngữ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “hide behind” mean?

To use someone or something as a shield in order to avoid taking responsibility for something; to avoid attention by using someone or something as a shield.

Is “hide behind” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.