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
Those extra games can take a toll on a football player’s body.
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025
Researchers suggest that recovery is not a linear path, and this can take a toll on both partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
The new tariff on China will take a toll on trade between Illinois and China.
—Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Forecasters say the tariffs will take a toll on the economy even if they’re not passed along to consumers through higher prices.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a/its toll
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025
Researchers suggest that recovery is not a linear path, and this can take a toll on both partners.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
The new tariff on China will take a toll on trade between Illinois and China.
—Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Forecasters say the tariffs will take a toll on the economy even if they’re not passed along to consumers through higher prices.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 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 28 Feb. 2025.
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