Poll: 'Draw the curtains' means?

[Rroff]

This poll is definitely wrong.

You draw the curtains to open them.

You draw the curtains to close them...

Doesn't matter which! If they're open or closed, you get asked to draw them and you'll do the right thing...

The poll reflects common usage - especially the older generations seem to use draw to mean close not sure how that originated.

 

[byeo]

Voted close.

 

[dirtybeatfreak]

Both. Oxford dictionary says so too

 

[LoadsaMoney]

4. Close your legs, love.

 

[Curio]

My wife (American,...go figure) says "shut the windows" when she wants me to close the curtains.

Yes, I've tried beating her...

 

[SexyGreyFox]

Everybody in our office, about 30+, say close.
Apologies, one person had never heard of the word in that context.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

Mrs Dimple says 'Draw to a close" and she's always right and then said 'What idiot said open?'

 

[FoxEye]

Mrs Dimple says 'Draw to a close" and she's always right and then said 'What idiot said open?'

If you are Mr Dimple then the correct answer is whatever Mrs Dimple says

 

[Scougar]

Obviously it's a sexual reference.

(Although I don't see that option in the poll )

 

[Greebo]

Its definitely both. When I was a kid my mum would come into my bedroom and say "you haven't even drawn he curtains and its afternoon"

 

[SexyGreyFox]

Its definitely both. When I was a kid my mum would come into my bedroom and say "you haven't even drawn he curtains and its afternoon"

I've never heard the phrase 'Draw to an open'

 

[james.miller]

I've never heard the phrase 'Draw to an open'

neither have i.

Draw back the curtains is pretty common though.

 

[FoxEye]

I've never heard the phrase 'Draw to an open'

Don't be daft.

The phrase "draw to a close" means to conclude, or wrap up.

Draw to an open doesn't make sense because time flows forwards and never backwards.

"Draw open" is as valid as "draw closed", and both can be shortened to "draw".

 

[nitram100]

Always meant open for me.

 

[Spuddy]

Means both here in Hull...

Then again we are a bit backwards.

 

[Sliver]

To close.

GD delivers once again on what really matters in life.

 

[Liampope]

Voted close immediately.

However I am now happy to accept the answer is in fact both.

 

[Scrumpy_Jack]

Always been Closed for me!

 

[Raumarik]

Both, at least that's how my gran used the term. Must admit I hadn't really thought about it..

 

[CyZMyAssBaby]

To draw curtains is to close.