If the Supreme Court rules against the general, the head on the block could in theory be the general's rather than Mr Sharif's.

ECONOMIST: The familiar conflict between justice and retribution

It may not impress the voters either who might argue that your head is either on the block - or frankly, nowhere near it.

BBC: Answering the Clwyd West Question

"As soon as there's conflict there, it'll come to a head eventually and if it comes to a head then it'll be the manager's head that'll be on the chopping block, " Duffy told BBC Scotland.

BBC: Romanov slams Laszlo budget woes

Leader of the Social-democrat group Martin Schultz said the breakdown in talks were "turning democracy on its head", saying it was not for national governments to block the will of parliament.

BBC: MEPs attack UK government on EU budget crisis

Days when I wanted to rip her head off, and days when she wanted mine on the chopping block.

FORBES: How I Stopped Being Scared Of Relationships At Work

In a video created by Boston Dynamics, BigDog is seen lifting a breeze block with an arm attached to where the head would go on its animal equivalent, and then throwing it backwards.

BBC: BigDog four-legged robot now sports throwing arm