raise the curtain

1. Make something public, disclose. In this sense, both terms often occur with on , as in We won't know what the new design is until they lift the curtain on it . Both usages, from the mid-1700s, allude to the curtain raised at the beginning of a theatrical performance, revealing the stage.

2. Begin or start, as in It's time to raise the curtain, guys—start shoveling .

Idioms and Phrases

Also, lift the curtain .

Example Sentences

There was plenty of that last commodity at Thursday’s impressive and entertaining “Raise the Curtain” concert by the Seattle Symphony with guest conductor Ludovic Morlot.

From Seattle Times

Gesturing to the short-haired woman to raise the curtain, he strode to the exact center of the stage and took elaborate bows as the curtain came up.

From Literature

Premier League newcomers Brentford will raise the curtain on the new campaign when they welcome Arsenal to the Brentford Community Stadium on Friday, with approximately 300,000 fans set to attend the opening 10-match programme over the weekend.

From BBC

But as Tempo and Disinganno raise the curtain on the theater of truth, as they say in the second half, the stage becomes shallow, filled with a mirror that eventually gives way to the absence of any set: just an exposed backstage whose rear door Bellezza opens, exiting to the street.

From New York Times

“She helped raise the curtain on many careers, and the lights of our politics will be a littler dimmer without her.”

From Seattle Times