lurk behind
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle behind
Meanings
Be hidden or unseen behind a visible cause
Why “behind”? A hidden cause sits behind the action you can see.
“Doubts lurked behind her smile.”
“Anger lurked behind his polite answer.”
Test yourself
“Doubts lurked behind her smile.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
be behind
Same behind pattern: hidden cause
Be late with work or a schedule; Be the hidden cause or organiser of something; Support a person, plan, or cause
hide behind
Same behind pattern: hidden cause
Use something as an excuse so people cannot blame you
lie behind
Same behind pattern: hidden cause
Be the underlying cause of something visible
stand behind
Same behind pattern: hidden cause
Be the unseen reason or motivator for something; Continue to support someone in difficulty
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