iron curtain

Noun

iron curtain (plural iron curtains)

1. A barrier made of iron in a theatre, lowered between the stage and the auditorium for fire safety or to prevent communication.

   Synonyms:

   safety curtain

2. (figuratively) Any impenetrable barrier.
   • The coup d'etat also constituted an iron curtain for the social scientists.1982, Ervand Abrahamian, Iran Between Two Revolutions, →ISBN, page 450
   • “We see Ukraine is holding the line, even partially regaining territory,” she said, adding that Russia was struggling and imposing “a digital iron curtain on their people” – a reference to internet censorship.2026 June 18, Peter Beaumont, Pjotr Sauer, Jennifer Rankin, “Moscow oil refinery struck in Ukraine’s biggest air raid on city since start of war”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

Proper noun capitalized: Iron Curtain

UK/ˌaɪən ˈkɜː.tən/US/ˌaɪ(ə)ɹn ˈkɜɹ.tən/

the Iron Curtain

1. (historical) The dividing line between Western Europe and the Soviet-controlled regions, especially during the Cold War (1947–1991).
   • We liked the plain people of Russia wherever we met them. […] We were behind the "iron curtain" at last!1920, Mrs. Philip Snowden [i.e., Ethel Snowden], “Making Our Plans”, in Through Bolshevik Russia, London; New York, N.Y.: Cassell and Company, →OCLC, pages 31 and 32
   • In the east the iron curtain behind which, unseen by the eyes of the world, the work of destruction goes on, is moving steadily forward.1945 May 3, Court Schwerin von Krosigk [i.e., Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk], “New foreign minister broadcasts”, in [anonymous], transl., The Manchester Guardian, number 30,757, Manchester: […] John...