take its/a toll idiom Meaning

Idiom: Take its toll

Definition: The phrase “take its toll” refers to the idea that something has a significant and often detrimental effect on someone or something over a period of time. It implies that there are negative consequences or costs associated with actions, behaviors, or circumstances that accumulate gradually and become apparent later.

Usage: This idiom is often used in contexts where stress, hardship, or ongoing challenges result in weariness, damage, or deterioration, either physically, mentally, emotionally, or financially. For example, one might say, “The long hours at work have taken their toll on my health,” indicating that the strain of working long hours has adversely affected the speaker’s well-being.

Etymology: The phrase derives from the concept of “toll,” which historically referred to a fee for passage or a cost incurred, especially in contexts such as toll roads. The figurative use suggests a cost or burden imposed by specific actions or situations over time. The term “take” complements this by indicating the act of bearing or experiencing this incurred cost.

Pronunciation: /teɪk ɪts toʊl/

Synonyms:

• Have an impact
• Cause harm
• Result in a cost
• Impose a burden

Antonyms:

• Improve
• Enhance
• Benefit
• Have a positive effect

This idiom highlights the cumulative nature of certain experiences and recognizes their eventual impact on individuals or situations.

1. The constant stress from work can take its toll on your mental health over time.
2. After years of poor eating habits, the lack of nutrients finally took its toll on her body.
3. The prolonged drought has taken a toll on the region’s agricultural output.
4. His obsession with perfectionism eventually took a toll on his relationships with friends and family.
5. The heavy workload and sleepless nights began to take a toll on his overall well-being.

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