final curtain
The show's end
Final curtain is the end of a theatrical performance, when the curtain falls for the last time.
Figuratively, it means death or the conclusive end of something: The diagnosis felt like a final curtain.
The phrase carries theatrical gravity—an ending that's decisive and public rather than quiet.
Moving by or temporary
- demiseCessation of existence
- endFinal portion or cessation
- departureAct of going away
- expirationEnd of validity
mortality · obituary · rest · eternal sleep · crossing over · last act · swan song · quietus
End or deduction
- endingFinal portion of something
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- completionAct of finishing
- wrap-upConcluding summary or review
finalization · termination · denouement · last chapter · sign-off · wind-down · finish · close
Last scheduled performance
- last performanceFinal time on stage
- standing ovationApplause while risen
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
- bowRespectful forward inclination
encore · stage · footlights · proscenium · playwright · audience · dramaturgy · spotlight
Departing salutation
- adieuFormal leave-taking
- partingAct of leaving another
- valedictionFormal parting statement
- leave-takingAct of saying goodbye
send-off · last hurrah · adios · au revoir · sayonara · bon voyage · fare-thee-well · last words
passing
Moving by or temporary
expiration · mortality · obituary · rest · eternal sleep · crossing over · last act · swan song · quietus · last goodbye
conclusion
End or deduction
- endingFinal portion of something
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- completionAct of finishing
wrap-up · finalization · termination · denouement · last chapter · sign-off · wind-down · finish · close
closing night
Last scheduled performance
- last performanceFinal time on stage
- standing ovationApplause while risen
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
bow · encore · stage · footlights · proscenium · playwright · audience · dramaturgy · spotlight · backstage
goodbye
Departing salutation
- adieuFormal leave-taking
- partingAct of leaving another
- valedictionFormal parting statement
leave-taking · send-off · last hurrah · adios · au revoir · sayonara · bon voyage · fare-thee-well · last words
- swan songsswan song, last performance, farewell concert, farewell tour, closing act
- finaleslast act, closing act, encore, swan song, closing number
- theaterplays, stage, play, onstage, acting
- doomdoomsday, impending doom, doom and gloom, doomed, sense of doom
- endingsending, the end, finish, close, end
- endpointsendpoint, end point, terminus, last stop, destination
final curtainopening night
First staged performance
first act · overture · premiere · prologue · opening scene
final, finally, curtain, curtains, finale, finalize, finalized, finality, finals