Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To lower the curtain: The literal action of bringing down the curtain at the end of a theatrical performance.
   • (Figurative) To come to an end, to conclude: Used to describe the conclusion or termination of an event, period, or situation, often with a sense of finality.

Usage Examples

• Literal (Theatre):

  • Vở kịch đã hạ màn. (The play has ended. / The curtain has fallen.)
  • Sau màn vỗ tay nhiệt liệt, diễn viên chính ra chào và đoàn kịch hạ màn. (After the enthusiastic applause, the lead actor took a bow and the troupe lowered the curtain.)

• Figurative (Conclusion of an event):

  • Lễ hội đã chính thức hạ màn vào tối qua. (The festival officially came to a close last night.)
  • Sau ba tuần tranh tài, giải đấu đã hạ màn trong niềm vui chiến thắng. (After three weeks of competition, the tournament concluded with the joy of victory.)

Advanced Usage

• "hạ màn cho..." (to bring down the curtain on...): To mark the definitive end of something.
  • Buổi lễ long trọng đã hạ màn cho chuỗi sự kiện kỷ niệm. (The solemn ceremony brought down the curtain on the series of commemorative events.)

Variants and Related Words

• Màn (n): Curtain; act (in a play). This is the core noun within the phrase.
  • màn sân khấu (stage curtain), màn kịch (an act of a play)
• Kết thúc (v): To end, to finish. A more general synonym.
• Chấm dứt (v): To terminate, to cease. Emphasizes a decisive end.

Synonyms

• Kết thúc: To end.
• Chấm dứt: To terminate.
• Khung lại (less common): To close, to shut (used metaphorically).

Related Phrases

• Mở màn (v): To raise the curtain; (fig.) to commence, to open. This is the direct antonym.
  • Buổi hòa nhạc sẽ mở màn lúc 8 giờ tối. (The concert will commence at 8 p.m.)

Related Idioms

• "Vở kịch đã hạ màn": The play is over. A common idiom meaning a situation has ended, often with no chance of return or change.
  • Giữa họ, mọi chuyện đã rõ, vở kịch đã hạ màn. (Between them, everything is clear; the play is over.)
• (Figurative use with abstract nouns): The phrase is often used with events like elections, scandals, eras, or competitions.
  • hạ màn bầu cử (to conclude the election)
  • hạ màn một giai đoạn lịch sử (to bring down the curtain on a historical period)

1. Lower the curtain
   • Kịch đã hạ màn
     The curtain has fallen
   • Tấn kịch bầu cử đã hạ màn
     The curtain has fallen in the election farce