1cur·tain 
/ˈkɚtn̩/ noun
plural cur·tains /ˈkɚtn̩/ noun 1 [count] : a piece of cloth that hangs down from above a window and can be used to cover the window
▪ She opened/closed the curtains. ▪ She drew/pulled the curtains (open/closed). — see picture at window 2 [count] : a piece of cloth or other material that is hung to protect or hide something
▪ a shower curtain ▪ Curtains separated the hospital beds. — see also iron curtain 3 a [count] : a very large piece of cloth that hangs at the front of a stage and that is raised when a performance begins and lowered when a performance ends
▪ When the curtain rises after intermission, the set is bare and the main character finds himself alone. ▪ As the curtain falls for the last time, we see a young woman holding a dying man in her arms. — often used figuratively ▪ The curtain came down on his film career [=his film career ended] after a lifetime in show business. ▪ His injury brought down the curtain on his remarkable career. = His injury brought the curtain down on his remarkable career. [=his injury ended his career] — see picture at theater
b [singular] : the time when a curtain is raised or lowered at the beginning or end of a performance
▪ The audience applauded enthusiastically after the final curtain. [=after the curtain was lowered at the end of the performance] ▪ Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. [=the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday] 4 [count] : something that covers or hides something else — usually + of ▪ A curtain of smoke hung at the edge of the forest. ▪ It was hard to see their faces through the curtain of darkness.
▪ She opened/closed the curtains. ▪ She drew/pulled the curtains (open/closed). — see picture at window
▪ a shower curtain ▪ Curtains separated the hospital beds. — see also iron curtain
▪ When the curtain rises after intermission, the set is bare and the main character finds himself alone. ▪ As the curtain falls for the last time, we see a young woman holding a dying man in her arms. — often used figuratively ▪ The curtain came down on his film career [=his film career ended] after a lifetime in show business. ▪ His injury brought down the curtain on his remarkable career. = His injury brought the curtain down on his remarkable career. [=his injury ended his career] — see picture at theater
b [singular] : the time when a curtain is raised or lowered at the beginning or end of a performance
▪ The audience applauded enthusiastically after the final curtain. [=after the curtain was lowered at the end of the performance] ▪ Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. [=the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday]
be curtains for
informal : to be the end, failure, or death of (someone or something)
▪ It looks like it's curtains for the mayor after this election. [=the mayor will not be elected again] ▪ If they don't win today's game, it'll be/mean/spell curtains for their hopes of winning the championship. [=their hopes will be ended]
▪ It looks like it's curtains for the mayor after this election. [=the mayor will not be elected again] ▪ If they don't win today's game, it'll be/mean/spell curtains for their hopes of winning the championship. [=their hopes will be ended]
