sword of damocles
The phrase "sword of Damocles" refers to a situation or imminent danger that hangs over someone, causing constant anxiety and the feeling of impending disaster or doom. It is derived from a Greek legend about a courtier named Damocles, who was forced to sit under a sword suspended by a single hair to convey the constant insecurity and unease experienced by those in positions of power. Thus, the term is used metaphorically to describe any precarious or potentially catastrophic circumstance.
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