old sins have long shadows

English

Alternative forms

• old sins cast long shadows

Proverb

old sins have long shadows

1. Past misdeeds are liable to return to haunt a person.
   • 1929, Camilla Hope, Long Shadows, page 253:

     "'Old sins have long shadows,'" he went on musingly. "And this shadow of Bou Smain may yet engulf you if I am not quick.

   • 2013, Louise Penny, How The Light Gets In: A Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery, →ISBN:

     “But if it doesn't exist how can it matter?” asked Nichol. “Old file, old company, old news.” “Old sins have long shadows,” said Gamache. “And this is an old sin.”

   • 2014, Denise Robins, Reputation, →ISBN:

     Lucinda was happy and deeply in love, but ‘old sins have long shadows’, and on the very night of her engagement party the dark, dangerous shadow of her past confronted her.

See also

• a lie has no legs
• murder will out
• skeleton in the closet
• chickens come home to roost