"The sword of Damocles has been hanging for a little while now, " he told 5 Live.

BBC: Coventry plan for administration

In other words, a sword of Damocles is hanging over the head of Ms Dorries.

BBC: Nadine Dorries still under sword of Damocles

"It keeps the sword of Damocles still above his head, " said Doug Muzzio, a professor of public affairs at Baruch College.

WSJ: Trial Tied to Liu Delayed

The DOJ understood that a traditional indictment could destroy the company, and it dangled this Sword of Damocles in order to get what it wanted.

FORBES: Justice 'Deferred'

Nobody can produce great work, under a Damocles sword.

FORBES: Essentials of a long lasting client relationship

As we tax advisors have charged blindly into another fun-filled filing season, little did we know that all the while the Sword of Damocles has been hanging above our beloved Internal Revenue Code.

FORBES: House Republicans Take First Stab At Killing Off The Tax Code

And if that was not enough the region has an economic Sword of Damocles poised above it as Argentina's economy collapses, sending financial shock waves that are felt to varying degrees through the whole of South America.

BBC: Analysis: Hard task ahead in Colombia

Most people who negotiate for a living like I do have been more or less obsessed with the debt ceiling spectacle since we first learned that our elected representatives were bargaining with the Sword of Damocles ( August 2) dangling overhead.

FORBES: The Budget End-Game as Bad Summer Movie