To raise the curtain

Origin

This vivid phrase directly springs from the world of theatre, where the raising of a physical curtain signals the imminent start of a performance. Before each act or scene, the heavy velvet curtain would dramatically ascend, revealing the stage and captivating the audience, inviting them into a new world. This literal act of revelation and beginning quickly transcended the stage, becoming a powerful metaphor for initiating any major event, action, or significant period, drawing on the universal excitement and anticipation associated with a play's opening.