lie behind
Third Person
lies behind
Present Participle
lying behind
Past Tense
lay behind
Past Participle
lain behind
1
to be the true cause of something, often not immediately apparent
- The search for power and control often lies behind manipulative behavior and toxic relationships.
- The unspoken fears lying behind the student's avoidance of public speaking were gradually revealed through therapy.
- The hidden agenda lying behind the politician's actions raised concerns among the public.
- The underlying prejudice lying behind the discriminatory policies had to be confronted and dismantled for true equality to prevail.
- The subconscious belief of unworthiness often lies behind self-sabotage and self-destructive patterns.