Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

The sword of Damocles

an impending threat

The most appropriate meaning of the idiom "the sword of Damocles" is an impending threat. It is a metaphor for a constant and imminent danger, often used to describe the state of someone who holds a position of power or authority.

The idiom comes from a story in Greek mythology about Damocles, a courtier who was invited to dine with the tyrant Dionysius the Elder. Damocles was seated under a sword that was suspended by a single hair. Dionysius explained that the sword represented the constant threat of death that he himself lived under.

The idiom "the sword of Damocles" is often used to describe the feeling of anxiety or fear that someone might experience when they are in a position of power or authority. It can also be used to describe the feeling of being constantly under threat, such as in a war zone or in a dangerous job.