The curtains are down

Question

Dear forum membersIn the sentence:The curtains are downIs the grammar ok?Or the sentence should be:Thr curtains are closed?Thanks for your time!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Either would be fine. It's like how some people say "I'm waiting on line" or "I'm waiting in line"

Clive · Answer

Both sentences are correct grammar. The curtains are closed is the common expression.

We often say 'The blinds are down'.

Clive

Nikitus · Answer

Thanks for your answer!

Grammarfreak · Answer

No, Waiting in line - is the normal collocation, at least in this part of US.
In Elvis Presley's classic hit " Are you lonesome tonight" , there is a line Other ... Then they can bring the curtain down. Is your heart filled with pain ...

In the old days, curtains are raised and lowered (down) in theaters when a show was over. But curtains in a home are usually drawn closed. So without knowing the kind of curtain in question, we have to assumed "curtains down" refers to theaters'.

Clive · Answer

The curtains are down. Let me clarify. It's correct grammar, but that fact does not tell you anything about whether the expression is odd or natural or sense or nonsense.

I've never heard anyone say that in a normal situation, ie where curtains can move sideways.

BarbaraPA · Answer

I wonder if the OP simply misheard "drawn" as "down."

New Yorkers (as far as I know, no one else) wait "on" line. Since I grew up there, I thought it was the normal way to say it for a long time. It's just a regional variation.

KJinCali79 · Answer

If referring to a theater or other stage production it would be common to say, "The curtains are down." If speaking of one's home this would be unusual.  "The curtains are closed" would be the typical expression in that case.

Nikitus · Answer

Thanks to Anonymous, Clive, grammarfreak, Clive, BarbaraPA and KJinCali79

The curtains are down

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