curtain raiser

American  

noun

1. a short play preceding a main play.

2. any preliminary event or performance.

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curtain-raiser British  

noun

1. theatre a short dramatic piece presented before the main play

2. any preliminary event

   the debate was a curtain-raiser to the election

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curtain raiser Idioms  

1. Preliminary event, as in This limited attack on the chairman is just a curtain raiser for the concerted effort to oust him. This term literally refers to a short play or skit presented before the main theatrical production. It began to be transferred to other preliminaries about 1940.

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Etymology

Origin of curtain raiser

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

After the women opened the season on Saturday with their giant slalom on the Austrian glacier, the men battled poor visibility and welcome wintry weather in their traditional curtain raiser.

From Barron's

Twelve months ago, on the eve of their Champions League curtain raiser against Slovan Bratislava, the manager said he was "in the best place I've been" at the club.

From BBC

This year's Earthshot is being viewed as the curtain raiser to COP which is due to begin a few days later in Belém, the gateway to the Amazon.

From BBC

It was a personal and at times touching five minute curtain raiser for the main event.

From BBC

A jam-packed opening day will feature all the teams in action, with last season's surprise package Aston Villa hosting runners-up Manchester United in the curtain raiser, which will be live on the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

• lead-in