curtains

curtains

The end. Typically refers to an adverse ending to something, or (hyperbolically or humorously) to death. It's curtains for the defending champs if they don't pull off a miraculous comeback. It's curtains for me if I don't get home by curfew. My parents will kill me!
See also: curtain
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

curtains

n. death. (Underworld.) Okay, Marlowe, this time it’s curtains.
See also: curtain
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • it's curtains
  • curtains for
  • curtains for (someone or something)
  • curtains for, be.
  • be curtains
  • be curtains for (someone or something)
  • be curtains for someone/something
  • brace (oneself) for (something)
  • brace oneself for
  • a thing you don't want is dear at any price
References in classic literature
He consents without a murmur, all join in a joyful chorus, and the curtain falls upon the lovers kneeling to receive Don Pedro's blessing in attitudes of the most romantic grace.
He held the glass in his hand; all he had to do was to vanish back beyond the curtains, flee with it noiselessly into the night on deck, fling it unseen overboard.
The first sign--and we must remember that he was using his eyes for all they were worth--was an unaccountable movement of the curtain. It was wavy and very slight; just perceptible in fact to the sharpened faculties of a secret watcher; for it can't be denied that our wits are much more alert when engaged in wrong-doing (in which one mustn't be found out) than in a righteous occupation.
From behind the shaking curtains came one volley of invective.
He drew the curtain instantly, and she made no attempt to stop him.
The audience wanted what was behind the curtain, not in front of it.
In the dim shadow of the curtain her luminous eyes shone more brightly than usual from the tears of joy that were in them.
But what think you of the plan of the curtain, Barbara?
They found all the rest of the party already in their seats and the curtain about to go up.
When the curtain at last fell, he burst into the stormiest applause, and kept it up--as did the whole house--until the afflictive tenor had come three times before the curtain to make his bow.
"Take care, Monica dear," said one, shrouding herself in the lace curtain; "don't let them see us.
When we arrived at the place, we found the shrine hidden from our view by a curtain hung between two magnificent trees.
All you need do to let me know is to undo the cord holding the curtain of the 'right' gallery window, nearest to the dark closet.
WELL, all day him and the king was hard at it, rigging up a stage and a curtain and a row of candles for footlights; and that night the house was jam full of men in no time.
She could look at it because the curtain had been drawn aside.