also: ダモクレスのけん
expression, noun
sword of Damocles
Refers to an ever-present danger or threat, especially one that hangs over someone in a position of power or good fortune. Used metaphorically in the same way as the English phrase.
核兵器は人類にとってダモクレスの剣だ。
Nuclear weapons are a sword of Damocles hanging over humanity.
彼の成功はダモクレスの剣の上に成り立っている。
His success rests under the sword of Damocles.