take its toll

Idioms  

1. 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

See Examples For:

take its toll

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a staggered reduction in flights at the start of November as the funding lapse began to take its toll on air-traffic controllers.

From Barron's ● Nov. 27, 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

But that day seems not to want to arrive, and the journey has begun to take its toll on all of us.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---