lie behind
phrasal verb
lay behind; lain behind; lying behind; lies behind
: to be the cause of (something)
Greed lies behind the higher prices.
Examples of lie behind in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though embers and flames surround the horses in the clip, the animals follow their rescuers and trek on toward Silva, who asks the horse rescuers how many more animals still lie behind the smoke, looking for help.
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Rachel Raposas, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
On these platforms, people frequently highlight their successes without revealing the hard work, setbacks or financial struggles that may lie behind the scenes.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
And mysterious strangers lie behind the doors of an old hotel.
—Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Much of the intensity and coldness that sometimes lay behind Carter’s smile came from Rickover.
—Jonathan Alter, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
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Rachel Raposas, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
On these platforms, people frequently highlight their successes without revealing the hard work, setbacks or financial struggles that may lie behind the scenes.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
And mysterious strangers lie behind the doors of an old hotel.
—Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Much of the intensity and coldness that sometimes lay behind Carter’s smile came from Rickover.
—Jonathan Alter, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lie behind
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Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
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Cite this Entry
“Lie behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20behind. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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