The Sword of Damocles

The phrase “the sword of Damocles” refers to an impending sense of doom or danger that hangs over someone, particularly when they are in a position of power or privilege, but also constantly aware of a potential disaster. It comes from a Greek legend about Damocles, a courtier in the court of King Dionysius II of Syracuse. Envious of the king’s fortune, Damocles wished to experience the power and luxury of being a ruler. In response, Dionysius arranged for Damocles to sit in the king’s throne, but with a sword suspended above his head by a single thread. The sword symbolizes the constant danger and insecurity that comes with power. In Indonesian, a similar expression would be “pedang yang tergantung di kepala”, indicating a looming threat.

Synonyms:

Looming danger
Impending doom
A constant threat
A sword hanging over someone
Perilous situation
Threatening circumstances
Sword hanging by a thread
Ever-present danger
A ticking time bomb
A looming crisis

Example Sentences:

Being the CEO of a struggling company felt like having the sword of Damocles hanging over him every day.
She thought getting the promotion would be great, but now she feels like there’s a sword of Damocles hanging over her head due to the pressure.
The team’s success is fragile, and with every loss, it feels like the sword of Damocles is getting closer.
The situation with the unstable economy feels like a sword of Damocles over everyone’s head.
Every time I make a mistake at work, it’s as if the sword of Damocles is about to fall on me.
The leader of the failing country lived under the sword of Damocles, knowing his position was precarious.
He enjoyed the wealth and status of a celebrity, but he also lived with the sword of Damocles, knowing that one scandal could ruin him.
After the scandal, the company president felt like there was a sword of Damocles hanging over his leadership.
The ongoing legal battle was like a sword of Damocles, making her constantly anxious about the future.
They achieved success, but it was always tempered by the sword of Damocles—the fear of losing it all.

Related Words:

Anxiety
Peril
Threat
Danger
Instability
Uncertainty
Fear
Tension
Risk
Precariousness

Related Phrasal Verbs:

Live in fear (constantly worry about potential threats)
Walk on eggshells (be very cautious because of the risk of something going wrong)
Keep on edge (maintain a state of alertness or anxiety)
Face the music (accept the consequences of one’s actions)
Take a risk (engage in a situation with uncertain outcomes)
Play with fire (engage in dangerous or risky behavior)
Press one’s luck (continue with risky behavior, hoping for a positive outcome)
Tempt fate (take a risk that may result in an undesirable outcome)
Live on the edge (engage in risky or dangerous activities)
Take the heat (accept responsibility or punishment for something risky)

Idiomatic Expressions:

On a knife edge (in a precarious or highly tense situation)
Walking a tightrope (balancing between two difficult or dangerous situations)
In the lion’s den (in a dangerous or hostile situation)
The sword of Damocles (an imminent threat or danger)
Dancing with danger (engaging in risky or dangerous behavior)
A ticking time bomb (something that is dangerous and could explode at any moment)
Waiting for the other shoe to drop (anticipating something bad to happen)
The calm before the storm (a peaceful period just before a crisis or difficult situation arises)
Between a rock and a hard place (stuck in a difficult situation with no good option)
A storm is brewing (indicating that trouble or conflict is about to happen)

“The sword of Damocles” is often used to describe situations where a person lives with the constant threat of disaster or loss hanging over them despite their apparent power or privilege. It reflects the fragility of success and the ever-present danger of downfall, emphasizing the anxiety that comes with such uncertainty.