long-term consequence
noun phraseUK /ˌlɒŋ tɜːm ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/
US /ˌlɔːŋ tɝːm ˈkɑːnsəkwens/
A long-term consequence is something that happens later because of what you do now.
Eating too much candy can have a long-term consequence for your teeth.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A result that shows up many years after an action.
Smoking has serious long-term consequences for your health.
3. A lasting change in a situation caused by a decision.
Cutting down the forest had a long-term consequence for the animals living there.
4. An effect that is hard to undo once it happens.
Not saving money can be a long-term consequence you feel when you are older.