World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesDamoklesschwert
Pronunciation / Transliteration: Damoklesschwert
"Die drohende Kündigung schwebte wie ein Damoklesschwert über ihm."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
1 sense- 1
A situation or circumstance of imminent, constant peril or impending disaster hanging over someone who is currently in a state of power or prosperity.
"With the looming regulatory investigation, the threat of bankruptcy felt like a sword of Damocles hanging over the company."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating from an ancient Greek parable retold by the Roman orator Cicero in his Tusculan Disputations, the term derives from the courtier Damocles who praised the great happiness of Dionysius II. To teach him that power comes with constant peril, Dionysius seated Damocles beneath a sword suspended by a single horsehair. The idiom has evolved in English to signify an impending disaster or constant threat hovering over someone in a position of power or prosperity.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Sword of Damocles"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Sword of Damocles" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
épée de Damoclès
Transliteration: épée de Damoclès
"Cette dette est une véritable épée de Damoclès au-dessus de sa tête."
Damoklesschwert
Transliteration: Damoklesschwert
"Die drohende Kündigung schwebte wie ein Damoklesschwert über ihm."
spada di Damocle
Transliteration: spada di Damocle
"Il processo in corso è rimasto come una spada di Damocle sulla sua carriera."
espada de Damocles
Transliteration: espada de Damocles
"La crisis económica pendía sobre la empresa como una espada de Damocles."
espada de Dâmocles
Transliteration: espada de Dâmocles
"A ameaça de despejo pairava como uma espada de Dâmocles sobre a família."
दामोकलिस की तलवार
Transliteration: damokalis ki talwar
"गिरफ्तारी का खतरा उसके सिर पर दामोकलिस की तलवार की तरह लटक रहा था।"
达摩克利斯之剑
Transliteration: dámòkèlīsī zhī jiàn
"失业的威胁一直像达摩克利斯之剑一样悬在他的头顶。"
다모클레스의 칼
Transliteration: damokeuleseu-ui kal
"그 소송은 그의 사업에 다모클레스의 칼처럼 다가왔다."
ダモクレスの剣
Transliteration: Damokuresu no tsurugi
"そのスキャンダルは彼の政治生命にとってダモクレスの剣となった。"
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