Here's a breakdown:
* Shadow: Represents the influence or impact something has on others.
* Long: Indicates that the influence is significant and lasting, extending over time.
Examples:
* "The scandal cast a long shadow over the politician's career."
* "The war cast a long shadow over the lives of those who lived through it."
* "The company's past mistakes continue to cast a long shadow on its reputation."
Key Points:
* It usually implies a negative influence, but it can also be used in a neutral or even positive context.
* The "shadow" can be literal or metaphorical, referring to a physical presence or a more abstract influence.
Origin:
The idiom's origin likely stems from the literal phenomenon of shadows being longer in the late afternoon or early evening. This imagery implies a lasting and significant influence.