a sword of Damocles hangs over (one's) head



a sword of Damocles hangs over (one's) head

One is faced with imminent danger or trouble. In Greek mythology, the courtier Damocles was forced to sit beneath a sword suspended by a single hair to emphasize the instability of a king's fortunes. I know his history of violent behavior, so I feel like a sword of Damocles hangs over my head whenever I'm alone with him. With the threat of nuclear war, many feel that a sword of Damocles hangs over the world's head.
See also: Damocles, hang, head, of, sword

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Josiah[dʒəu'saiə]
Elpidio-Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Clytia-Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Rikoṙee-koJapanese
Mihangel-Welsh
Cosima-Italian