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
When his stay started to take a toll on him, shelter workers helped him with behavioral skills.
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Simone Jasper
july 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025
Only minutes removed from the Yankees’ sixth consecutive loss and their 16th defeat in their last 22 games, Aaron Judge was asked if the sorry streak had begun to take a toll on the team on Saturday.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
Pre-tariff spending fades The latest negotiating activity comes amid signs on June 27 that uncertainty over Trump's tariffs is starting to take a toll on the economy.
—David Lawder, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Uncertainty and massive change take a toll on people over time.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a/its toll
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Simone Jasper
july 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025
Only minutes removed from the Yankees’ sixth consecutive loss and their 16th defeat in their last 22 games, Aaron Judge was asked if the sorry streak had begun to take a toll on the team on Saturday.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
Pre-tariff spending fades The latest negotiating activity comes amid signs on June 27 that uncertainty over Trump's tariffs is starting to take a toll on the economy.
—David Lawder, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Uncertainty and massive change take a toll on people over time.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 22 June 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 21 Jul. 2025.
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