What does 'casting a long shadow' mean?

[Priya Raghavan]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #316 "English Slang Idioms (37)", question 4

She knew that she would have to work even harder to be considered a good CIA agent on her own merits. Her father had cast a long ......... as head of the CIA for 20 years and she wasn't sure anyone would believe that she could get a promotion without her father's help.

(a) shadow
(b) glance
(c) net
(d) line

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #316 "English Slang Idioms (37)", answer 4

She knew that she would have to work even harder to be considered a good CIA agent on her own merits. Her father had cast a long shadow as head of the CIA for 20 years and she wasn't sure anyone would believe that she could get a promotion without her father's help.

Correct answer: (a) shadow
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What does 'casting a long shadow' mean?

Priya Raghavan

[Daemon99]

Cast a long shadow = Something or someone that casts a long shadow has considerable influence on other people or events.

Check this link if you need the meanings of idioms

http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/
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Non-native speaker of English
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