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3. lie behind

lie behind

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lie behind someone or something

 

1. [for something] to be positioned to the rear of someone or something. A wide expanse of water lay behind the sentry, and a narrow roadway lay in front. A vast field lies behind the house.

2. [for something] to be in someone's or a group's past. Now that all of our difficulties lie behind us, we can get on with our business. The busy season lay behind the company and people could take their vacations.

See also: behind, lie

lie behind something

to explain or be the reason for something I wonder what lay behind his decision to quit school.

See also: behind, lie