curtain
cur·tain
I
 /ˈkɚtn̩/  noun  ,  pl   -tains
  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).
  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]
  3 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.
  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]
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II
  verb  , -tains, -tained, -tain·ing
  curtain off [  phrasal verb  ]
   curtain (something) off or curtain off (something) : to separate or cover (something) by using a curtain
    The booth was curtained off on three sides.
    The back of the room was curtained off for privacy.