Question

Is, "For a long time to come," an English idiom, and what does it mean?

Answer 1

Hint: Idiom is a group of words that have come to be known as having a meaning separate from the meanings of the components that make up the phrase. (For example the phrase “over the moon” ).

Complete answer:
A figurative, non-literal meaning is linked to a word or statement; nevertheless, certain phrases can become figurative idioms while maintaining their literal meaning. An idiom's metaphorical meaning differs from its literal meaning, which is classified as formulaic language.
In general, an idiom is a commonly used phrase that, when considered as a whole, has a meaning that you wouldn't be able to derive from the individual words' meanings.

The sentence in the question is idiomatic in the sense that it appears repetitive when examined ("For a long time" and "to come" seemingly imply the same thing). "For a long time to come," like other idioms, is just something native English speakers say.

In the past will have long-term consequences. Consider the following scenario: A government has just chosen to go to war. "The choice to go to war will have a lasting influence for a long time to come," a war opponent argues in an interview.

The individual is indicating that the government's choice to go to war will have long-term negative consequences for the country.

As a result, the phrase "for a long time to come." is an idiom.

Note: When people talk about things you shouldn't say, the phrases idiom and cliché are sometimes used interchangeably. They aren't, however, the same thing. A cliché is a statement that has been repeated so many times that it has lost its effectiveness, such as "throw the baby out with the bathwater" or "the cat who ate the canary."