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]

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Example Sentences

With more than 50% of the Welsh Rugby Union's turnover coming from money made from the men's home internationals, the apathy is starting to take its toll with the game in disarray on and off the field.

From BBC

A long and arduous season is bound to take its toll at some stage and star striker Erling Haaland could do with a rest.

From BBC

But that same physicality can take its toll in the latter stages of the Champions League, when players are feeling the strain after eight months of relentless action.

From Barron's

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

From Literature

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

From Barron's