cast a long shadow

cast a long shadow

To continue to have consequences well into the future. A: "I know I made a mistake, but that happened years ago! Why are we still talking about it?" B: "Because old sins cast a long shadow."

See also: cast, long, shadow

cast a long shadow

COMMON If something or someone casts a long shadow over something or someone, they have a great, long-lasting influence over them, usually a bad one. It was a time of hardships and the war still cast a long shadow over life in England. Cancer has cast a long shadow over almost every family in the country.

See also: cast, long, shadow