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背后 is used to mean "behind one's back" both literally:
你要是口渴，在门背后你能找到水。
If you're thirsty, behind the door you can find water.
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and figuratively (in the sense of backstabbing):
她伪称喜欢你,但在背后批评你。
She falsely states she likes you, but behind [your] back criticizes you.
Jukuu.com
I'm not sure if this is purely coincidental.
Question: How did 背后 come to mean "behind one's back" both literally and figuratively, like in English?
背后(behind) is a compound word made up of [背 = back/ back side (n)] + [后 = behind (preposition)]
背 in 背后 can refer to "the back" (背脊) of a person
e.g. 在你背后批评你
背 here refers to your back (背脊)
Although 背 here literally mean one's back, it is used as a metaphor for "place you cannot see = instances unknown to you "
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背 in 背后 can also refer to "the back side"(背面) of an object
e.g. 在门背后
背 here refers to the back side of the door (门背面)
In this case, the meaning of "背" (the back side) is completely literal
Yes, 背後 can mean did somethings without your knowledge or secretly. For example, 小心他可能在背後捅你一刀。 (Watch out, he may backstab you.) In this example 在背後捅你一刀 shared similar meaning of backstab. And it is one of usage of 背後, it means did somethings without your knowledge or secretly. While 捅你一刀 stands for harm you.
