take its toll

Idioms

Be damaging or harmful, cause loss or destruction, as in The civil war has taken its toll on both sides, or The heavy truck traffic has taken its toll on the highways. This expression transfers the taking of toll, a tribute or tax, to exacting other costs. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But playing long into the summer in sapping conditions to become world champions is beginning to take its toll.

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

But at the height of success, the lifestyle of tour bus toilets, hotel room pizzas and public opinion began to take its toll.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025

Of course, Wikipedians are human, and the harassment many of them receive can take its toll.

From Slate • Oct. 22, 2025

"A lot of players have started all the matches. You can understand why it would take its toll."

From BBC • Jul. 17, 2025

He allowed the silence to take its toll.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023