ring down the curtain on

Idioms  

1. Bring something to an end, as in We'd best get to that grand old hotel before they ring down the curtain on it. This idiom alludes to the old practice of signaling that a theater curtain be lowered at the ring of a bell. Similarly, ring up the curtain on refers to a bell rung to begin a performance and came to mean starting anything, as in Their contribution rang up the curtain on the fund drive. The figurative use of these terms dates from the early 1900s.

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Example Sentences

Whatever else the moves implied, it appeared that Gorbachev had found a novel and relatively graceful way to ring down the curtain on an era while continuing his rejuvenation of the Politburo.

From Time Magazine Archive

So the camp-marshal realised suddenly that it was time to ring down the curtain on this drama.

From King Coal : a Novel by Sinclair, Upton

She wanted to get married and ring down the curtain on an unspoiled success, and now in a moment she saw herself dethroned.

From The Ghost Girl by Stacpoole, H. De Vere (Henry De Vere)

All I ask is that they ring down the curtain on the delectable comedy of 'Brent Good, Misfit,' as expeditiously as possible.

From Thirty by O'Brien, Howard Vincent

It seemed a pity to evacuate the position and ring down the curtain on what was, to date, the most exciting episode of his life; but he must not overdo the thing, and get caught. 

From Mike by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)