hide behind
phrasal verbhide behind somebody/something
- (disapproving) to use somebody/something to protect yourself from criticism or punishment, especially in a way that people think is weak or shows a lack of courage
- She hides behind empty excuses and company policy.
- Unscrupulous employers cannot get away with hiding behind the law.
hide behind something
- to use something to keep secret your real identity, character or purpose
- He hid behind a false identity.
- criminals who hide behind a veneer of respectability