noun
Uncommon
curtains
KUR-tuhnz
Curtains (noun) means Informal: the end, especially death or ruin. Example: “If the brakes fail on that hill, it's curtains for us.”
noun
1
Informal: the end, especially death or ruin.
"If the brakes fail on that hill, it's curtains for us."
"If we miss the last train tonight, it's curtains for my plan to get home."
"One more mistake like that and it's curtains for the whole project."
""What if a bunch of scuba divers nosed about here?" / "Curtains for them, when our side-scan sonar sees them.""
"He called curtains on his double decade cricket career on Tuesday."
How to use curtains
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlang for "the end" — used when something (or someone) is finished for good.
When to use it
Very informal, often used dramatically or for comic effect; taken from old theater slang for the closing curtain.
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for curtains
See all rhymes for curtains →Frequently asked questions
What does “curtains” mean?
The word “curtains” means informal: the end, especially death or ruin. In plain terms, slang for "the end" — used when something (or someone) is finished for good.
How do you pronounce “curtains”?
“Curtains” is pronounced KUR-tuhnz (/ˈkɜː(ɹ).tənz/ in IPA).
How do you use “curtains” in a sentence?
Here is “curtains” used in a sentence: “If the brakes fail on that hill, it's curtains for us.”
What part of speech is “curtains”?
“Curtains” is a noun.
Is “curtains” a common word?
“Curtains” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What does it mean when something is said to be curtains for someone?
The informal expression "it's curtains for" someone means it is the end for them, often implying death, ruin, or total failure. It is typically used dramatically or humorously rather than in serious, formal writing.
Is curtains in this sense formal or informal?
This sense of curtains is informal and mainly appears in spoken English, fiction, or casual writing, rather than in formal or technical contexts. It carries a dramatic, often theatrical tone.
Why does curtains mean the end or death?
The expression draws on the image of a stage curtain closing at the end of a theatrical performance, signaling that everything is over. This theatrical origin is why curtains is used informally to mean death, ruin, or finality.
