'Curtain lecture' definitions:

Definition of 'curtain lecture'

noun

A private lecture to a husband by his wife

From: GCIDE

Curtain \Cur"tain\ (k[^u]r"t[i^]n; 48), n. [OE.cortin, curtin,fr. OF. cortine, curtine, F. courtine, LL. cortina, curtian (in senses 1 and 2), also, small court, small inclosure surrounded by walls, from cortis court. See Court.] [1913 Webster]
1. A hanging screen intended to darken or conceal, and admitting of being drawn back or up, and reclosed at pleasure; esp., drapery of cloth or lace hanging round a bed or at a window; in theaters, and like places, a movable screen for concealing the stage. [1913 Webster]
2. (Fort.) That part of the rampart and parapet which is between two bastions or two gates. See Illustrations of Ravelin and Bastion. [1913 Webster]
3. (Arch.) That part of a wall of a building which is between two pavilions, towers, etc. [1913 Webster]
4. A flag; an ensign; -- in contempt. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Behind the curtain, in concealment; in secret.
Curtain lecture, a querulous lecture given by a wife to her husband within the bed curtains, or in bed. --Jerrold. [1913 Webster]
A curtain lecture is worth all the sermons in the world for teaching the virtues of patience and long-suffering. --W. Irving.
The curtain falls, the performance closes.
The curtain rises, the performance begins.
To draw the curtain, to close it over an object, or to remove it; hence: (a) To hide or to disclose an object. (b) To commence or close a performance.
To drop the curtain, to end the tale, or close the performance. [1913 Webster]