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
Tonge reveals the complex religious dynamics that lie behind the AKP’s hold on political power and the deep, immensely varied religious commitments that survived attempts by twentieth-century reformers to separate religion and politics.
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Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
This raised serious questions about the real cost of chasing lower fees without understanding what lies behind the index funds.
—James Brewer, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
The ancient records don’t give a name, and Shinto is a form of animism that believes in countless gods that lie behind the forces of nature.
—Martin Fackler, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Austin gained nearly 60,000 residents between 2023 and 2024.
Between the lines: International migration lies behind this latest population spike.
—Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie behind
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Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
This raised serious questions about the real cost of chasing lower fees without understanding what lies behind the index funds.
—James Brewer, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
The ancient records don’t give a name, and Shinto is a form of animism that believes in countless gods that lie behind the forces of nature.
—Martin Fackler, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Austin gained nearly 60,000 residents between 2023 and 2024.
Between the lines: International migration lies behind this latest population spike.
—Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lie behind
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lie behind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie%20behind. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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