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the story behind

the story behind

21 3.3
The reason and past events that explain why something happened
  • noun
translation icon : trasfondo
  • The journalist revealed the story behind the scandal that shocked the nation.
  • tell the story behind
  • know the story behind
  • the story behind the picture

So that's that's the story behind that one.

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Examples

  • In her memoir, she shares the story behind her decision to leave her career.

  • Jack, what's the story behind "Let it Be"?

  • So that was the story behind the book called Gift of Injury.

  • I never told you the story behind it.

  • I just thought you should know the story behind these stories in case anyone was to ask.

  • It's the picture and the story behind the picture that should be the focus.

    Blog text (6)
  • You pick one, I'll tell you the story behind it.

  • But I love the story behind this lamp and I love how well the mechanism works.

  • I caught up with Lee recently in NYC, and he broke down the story behind his innovative company.

    Blog text (14)
  • This is the story behind the Czechoslovak Legion and its struggle to get back home.

Synonyms

story
vsthe story behind
1.0

An account of events told to entertain or inform

focuses on explaining how or why something happened rather than telling events
reason
vsthe story behind
1.0

A cause or explanation for something that happened

focuses more on surrounding information and origins rather than just cause
explanation
vsthe story behind
1.0

A statement that makes something clear or helps someone understand

focuses on origins and reasons rather than general clarification
background
vsthe story behind
365 2.6

The facts and context that help explain a situation or event

focuses on why or how something came to be rather than general context
backstory
vsthe story behind
56 4.1

Past events about a person or situation that explain why they do things now

applies to origins or factual explanations rather than fictional histories

Antonyms

660 4.7

Something that is hard to understand or explain

33 7.4

A time when a person or thing is unknown and not noticed

How Detailed

account
466 3.0
explanation
1.0
the story behind
21 3.3
background
365 2.6
note
1.0
to mention
1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

the + story + behind

The meaning 'background information' is directly inferable from combining 'story' (a narrative or account) with 'behind' (indicating what lies at the back or causes something) — i.e. the narrative that lies behind X. This compositional pattern (NOUN + 'behind' = the background/causal account) is common in English and many other languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should understand it.

Etymology

The story behind puts story and behind together: imagine a small tale hiding behind an old object or photo, waiting to be told. That's why it means 'the background' or 'explanation' of how or why something happened.