take a/its toll
idiom
: to have a serious, bad effect on someone or something : to cause harm or damage
If you keep working so hard, the stress will eventually take its toll.
—often + onToo much sunlight can take a (heavy) toll on your skin.
Her illness has taken a toll on her marriage.
Examples of take a/its toll in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As age seems to take its toll even during a great season at the plate, Bichette might see the Blue Jays preparing to move on from him after this final standout season.
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Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Even considering all that, Conference League football is bound to take its toll and Palace’s squad is not deep enough.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Carlos Narvaez has been a revelation for the Red Sox this season, but the rookie’s heavy workload has begun to take its toll.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
High-intensity work environments can take a toll on even the most energetic and productive individuals.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a/its toll
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Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Even considering all that, Conference League football is bound to take its toll and Palace’s squad is not deep enough.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Carlos Narvaez has been a revelation for the Red Sox this season, but the rookie’s heavy workload has begun to take its toll.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
High-intensity work environments can take a toll on even the most energetic and productive individuals.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a/its toll
Cite this Entry
“Take a/its toll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%2Fits%20toll. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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