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curtain off

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To block off or hide part of a room by putting a curtain across it.

Literal meaning: To use a curtain to close off part of a space.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To divide or hide a part of a room or space using a curtain or hanging fabric.

"The hospital ward had been curtained off into smaller sections to give patients more privacy."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic neutral

Figuratively, to conceal or cut off something from view or access.

"Years of silence had curtained off his memories of the war."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Used in both literal and figurative contexts. Commonly appears in descriptions of hospitals, small apartments, theaters, and historic houses.

Commonly used with

area section room corner stage alcove

Forms

Base
curtain off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
curtains off
he/she/it
Past simple
curtained off
yesterday
Past participle
curtained off
have + pp
-ing form
curtaining off
continuous

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