take its toll
To affect something, especially negatively; to damage or degrade; to cause harm or destruction.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Working too many hours will eventually take its toll on your health.”
“The constant stress of the long project began to take its toll on the team's motivation and energy levels.”
“Years of neglect had clearly taken its toll on the historic building, leaving the once grand structure in a state of quiet decay.”
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 03
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 04
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 05
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
- 06
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
- 07
have one's name taken
To receive a yellow card.
- 08
I take it
Used to express one's understanding of another's position.
Last updated August 10, 2026