sword of Damocles
English
Etymology
From the following story:
Damocles was an obsequious courtier in the court of Dionysius II of Syracuse, a fourth century BC tyrant of Syracuse. Damocles exclaimed that, as a great man of power and authority, Dionysius was truly fortunate. Dionysius offered to switch places with him for a day, so he could taste that fortune first-hand. In the evening a banquet was held, where Damocles very much enjoyed being waited upon like a king. Only at the end of the meal did he look up and notice a sharpened sword hanging directly above his head, held only by a single horse-hair. Immediately, he lost all taste for the festivities and asked leave of the tyrant, saying he no longer wanted to be so fortunate. Dionysius had successfully conveyed a sense of the constant fear in which the great man lives.
From Ancient Greek Δαμοκλῆς (Damoklês).
Pronunciation
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈsɔɹd əv ˈdæməkliz/
Noun
sword of Damocles (plural swords of Damocles)
- A thing or situation which causes a prolonged state of impending doom or misfortune.
Translations
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