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

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

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

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“They’re still trying to figure out the offense, the terminology, and they’ve never played beside the guy they’re next to. The war of attrition really starts to take its toll.”

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

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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.

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