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3. a sword of Damocles hangs over head

a sword of Damocles hangs over head

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a sword of Damocles hangs over somebody's head

  (literary) also a sword of Damocles hangs over somebody (literary)

if a sword of Damocles hangs over someone, they are in a situation where something bad is likely to happen to them very soon

Usage notes: This phrase comes from a story about Damocles who had to eat his food with a sword hanging over him which was tied up by a single hair.

You live with this sword of Damocles hanging over your head, knowing that you carry the virus for a deadly disease.

See also: Damocles, hang, head, of, sword