raise the curtain

raise the curtain (on something)

1. To begin or commence (something). It's time to raise the curtain on this new project, everyone, so let's not waste any time! After a few delays, the construction crew was finally ready to raise the curtain.
2. To make (something) publicly known; to reveal or disclose the truth (about something). In an attempt to head off a public relations disaster regarding his acceptance of donations, the governor decided to raise the curtain at a press conference.
See also: curtain, raise
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

raise the curtain

Also, lift the curtain.
1. Begin or start, as in It's time to raise the curtain, guys-start shoveling.
2. 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.
See also: curtain, raise
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • against time
  • (it's) time to run
  • (it's) time to push along
  • about time
  • (it's) (a)bout time
  • (it's) time to hit the road
  • any time means no time
  • against the clock
  • any time
  • anytime
References in classic literature
Then when you lower the curtain, it means that it is time that I, Makar Alexievitch, should go to bed; and when again you raise the curtain, it means that you are saying to me, "Good morning," and asking me how I am, and whether I have slept well.
One of the signs he used to make me was to link one hand in the other, to show me he wished to marry me; and though I should have been glad if that could be, being alone and motherless I knew not whom to open my mind to, and so I left it as it was, showing him no favour, except when my father, and his too, were from home, to raise the curtain or the lattice a little and let him see me plainly, at which he would show such delight that he seemed as if he were going mad.
What would the ruffian say, if we, setting at naught, like him, the decencies of social intercourse, were to raise the curtain which happily conceals His private life from general ridicule, not to say from general execration?
Championship winners Norwich raise the curtain on the new Premier League campaign with one of their toughest tests of the season at Anfield and the Canaries could be dealt a harsh lesson in their fresh surroundings.
The Saudi Arabian city of Taif is all set to raise the curtain on its first park cinema, as part of KSA's inaugural tourism festival "Taif Season", which began on Thursday, August 1.
PLDT Home Fibr, which seeks to improve its 1-1 card, and Marinerang Pilipina, out to end a three-game slide, raise the curtain at 2 p.m.
EOIN Morgan is confident England are ready to raise the curtain on the cricket World Cup after positive news on and off the pitch.
"Bilawal said that the government is incapable and a failure so I thought I should raise the curtain and unveil the truth behind the allegations," Umar said.
Ni Jian, on Friday February 1st, to raise the curtain on the park's exciting Chinese New Year celebrations.
Airdrie Arts Guild drama group will raise the curtain tonight on their festive production of Beauty and the Beast.
But already excitement was building up and the organisers of Paisley 500 decided to raise the curtain several weeks early to provide a glimpse of what was to come.
Meanwhile, Foton and Generika-Ayala will raise the curtain at 4 p.m.
REVITALIZED Creamline and three new teams raise the curtain for the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Season Two Reinforced Conference today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
HEADINGLEY is gearing up for a sparkling day tomorrow when Yorkshire Diamonds raise the curtain on the inaugural season of the Kia Women's League by taking on Loughborough Lightning.
The task of kicking things off is falling on the chart topping shoulders of Ed Sheeran who will raise the curtain on a number of other acts including Nicole Scherzinger, Sigma, Ella Henderson, Jess Glynne, Ella Eyre, Charli XCX and Labrinth.