take its toll

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

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

From BBC

But the 27-year-old Fritz responded well in the second set, keeping pace with Alcaraz to increase the scoreboard pressure and that seemed to take its toll on the Spaniard for the first time on a sweltering day at the All England Club, as he was broken at 6-5 to level matters.

From BBC

I suspect they will come out of the traps very quickly against Brentford, lifted by the crowd, and go a couple of goals up before the weekend starts to take its toll on them and the fans too.

From BBC

The victory, though sweet, began to take its toll on Vázquez.

From Los Angeles Times

But the hot weather was starting to take its toll on the cat.

From Los Angeles Times