hang over one's head

hang over one's head (third-person singular simple present hangs over one's head, present participle hanging over one's head, simple past and past participle hung over one's head)

1. (idiomatic) With the threat or negative prospect of; acting as a constant preoccupation.
   • 1978 April 15, “London's Gay News Loses Blasphemy Appeal”, in Gay Community News, page 3:

     Lord Justice Roskill delivered the decision of the three justices, upholding the fines against the paper and editor Lemon. The justices also granted court costs to anti-gay crusader Mary Whitehouse, the person who brought the suit against the paper. A prison sentence hanging over Lemon's head was dismissed.

   • 2010, Patricia A. Millett et al., United States v. Stevens, Respondent's brief, page 22:

     So Congress enacted a statute, the net effect of which is to hinge the freedom to speak on the speaker’s willingness to run the gauntlet of post hoc value assessments by prosecutors and juries with a five year felony sentence hanging over his head.