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

See Examples For:

take its toll

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

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

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2024

But I guess popularity always has and always will take its toll on people.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers