ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take its toll

idiom
Meaning

To affect something, especially negatively; to damage or degrade; to cause harm or destruction.


Examples
SIMPLE

Working too many hours will eventually take its toll on your health.

CONTEXTUAL

The constant stress of the long project began to take its toll on the team's motivation and energy levels.

COMPLEX

Years of neglect had clearly taken its toll on the historic building, leaving the once grand structure in a state of quiet decay.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  2. 02

    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.

  3. 03

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  4. 04

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  5. 05

    I take it

    Used to express one's understanding of another's position.

  6. 06

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

  7. 07

    let nature take its course

    To permit events to proceed or a situation to develop without intervention or interference.

  8. 08

    take a back seat

    To adopt a position of noninvolvement.

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