Bring Down the Curtain - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Prity Mallick

6 min read

Updated On Jan 05, 2026

Describe bringing something to an end with the idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’ in the IELTS Speaking & Writing sections. Get familiar with the meaning, synonym, list of top 3 scenarios to use it, and exercise to elevate your IELTS Vocabulary.

Bring Down the Curtain - Idiom of the Day for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Meaning of the idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’
List of Scenarios for the Idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’
Exercise on the Idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing

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Aiming for a higher band score of 8+ in the IELTS Speaking & Writing sections would require you to use advanced expressions such as the idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’. This idiomatic phrase would make your ideas sound confident in the IELTS Exam. However, it is crucial to see how this can be inserted seamlessly in a conversation about topics related to technological change, traditions, government policies, careers, and personal experiences. As you include this term in different sentences, you can connect your ideas better and provide evidence of your mastery of idiomatic expressions.

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Meaning of the idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’

An idiomatic expression will have a meaning that is completely different from its literal one for which comprehension of such idioms is important in your preparation. Therefore, to enhance your IELTS Vocabulary, you have to be aware of the fact that using the word in an appropriate manner is crucial. This will show your control over the usage of vocabulary while building your confidence for the exam. The table below depicts the important factors such as meaning, synonyms, and example sentences for the idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’.

Topic	Description
Bring Down the Curtain	Idiom
Definition	Bringing something down or to an end.
Synonyms	Conclude, Wrap up, Bring to an end
Origin	The idiom ‘Bring down the curtain’ was first referred to as lowering the screens at the front of the stage in theatres or to something that was going to end.
Example	For IELTS Speaking : His accident brought the curtains down on his remarkable Acting career. After trying for over five years, he decided to bring down the curtains of his IAS training. For IELTS Writing : At the end of the persuasive speech, a standing ovation was given as the theatre brought down the curtains. The sudden climax brought down the curtains on an unhappy episode.

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List of Scenarios for the Idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’

Understanding the meaning of an idiom is just the beginning because the next step is to be aware of the situation where you can use it in IELTS Speaking & Writing sections. Remember to use the idiom in appropriate places to enhance the quality of your answers while refraining yourself from misusing it. Below are the top three scenarios where you can include the idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’.

Scenario 1:

Rose: I don’t know when the government will take action against that controversial campaign.

John: Don’t worry; my father, who works at the government organization, told me that the government plans to bring down the controversial campaign’s curtains.

The idiom gives more accurate information instead of giving a long or vague explanation about an action ending. The idiom has made it very explicit that the controversial campaign will come to a halt and not simply be deferred or rethought. By using the idiom “bring down the curtain,” an IELTS answer is improved because the speaker or writer can express coming to an end and closure in a way that is clear, concise, and impactful.

Scenario 2:

Keith: Hey Raj, Why do you look upset? Is everything alright?

Raj: Hi! Keith, What do I say to you? I am just fed up with my wife’s arguments and fights.

Keith: Oh, in that case, can I suggest something?

Raj: Yes sure.

Keith: It’s high time to bring the curtains down, Raj.

The usage of the idiom talks about the end of an emotionally tiring day. Instead of Keith putting forward with his perception on the fight, he focused more on solving it. Due to this situation, the idiom is appropriately used to show power and diplomacy.

Scenario 3:

Rose: Listen to your dad and take over his business, John.

John: I want to crack the CSE exams and do something for our country, Rose. I simply can’t take it over.

Rose: I know, John, it’s your dream to serve the nation, but it’s time to bring down the curtains and do something that will make your life progressive. So, think wisely.

John: Well absolutely! I will give it a thought, but I will still continue preparing for the exams.

In this scenario, Rose wasn't direct about mentioning that John should give up on his dream of clearing the civil services exam. Rather than that, she incorporated the idiom to hint at the seriousness of this decision without sounding abrupt. In this scenario, the idiom is used to add depth to her advice in a powerful way.

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Exercise on the Idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing

Keep in mind that only through contextual understanding, idioms can become a part of your vocabulary and your answers will be more precise and powerful. For this, it is necessary to dive into the exercise given below to see when it can be used in your answers. Let’s get started!

Choose the following idioms to fill in the blank:

call it a day	from scratch	find her feet
burn a hole in his pocket	bury his head in the sand	bring down the curtain

1 Instead of dealing with the problem directly, the manager opted to ____________________ and wait for the issue to fade away.

2 The new smartphone was so alluring that it appeared to ____________________ the cash he had set aside for the savings, although he had sworn to save up.

3 The moderator at last had to ____________________ in order to ensure a smooth atmosphere as the dispute got really heated.

4 After lengthy talks, the committee came to a point where they had to ____________________ about the matter.

5 Over time, she started to ____________________ slowly and step by step in the company where she was newly employed.

6 He did it ____________________ all alone, not getting any help at all.

Answer to the Exercise on the Idiom ‘Bring Down the Curtain’ for IELTS Speaking & Writing

By looking at the correct answers provided below, you can get familiar with your grasping power. This insight will make you build confidence in using the idiom appropriately. With consistent practice, you can improve your scores for lexical resources and take a step towards achieving an IELTS Band Score of 8+.

1. bury his head in the sand	2. burn a hole in his pocket	3. call it a day
4. bring down the curtain	5. find her feet	6. from scratch

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Mastering idioms in Speaking & IELTS Writing sections would require you to get familiar with the specific meanings, using them in the situations, and placing them naturally without sounding forced. Incorporate this idiomatic expression in your preparation for topics like events, projects, careers, friendships, performances, education, social issues, and life experiences. Practicing idioms in these topics will make you sound more fluent while building confidence.

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