take a toll on

Meaning

This expression is used to describe how something causes gradual damage, wear and tear, or suffering over time. It is often used when talking about the negative effects of stress, long hours, or illness on someone's physical or mental health.

Examples

• Working night shifts for three years finally took a toll on his health.

  Working night shifts for three years finally took a toll on his health.

• The constant stress of the court case is taking a toll on her family.

  The constant stress of the court case is taking a toll on her family.

• Years of playing professional football have taken a major toll on his knees.

  Years of playing professional football have taken a major toll on his knees.

• The drought has taken a heavy toll on the region's agriculture.

  The drought has taken a heavy toll on the region's agriculture.

• If you don't rest, this hectic lifestyle will eventually take a toll on you.

  If you don't rest, this hectic lifestyle will eventually take a toll on you.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The long hours took a toll to his relationship.

  ✓ The long hours took a toll on his relationship.

  The preposition 'on' is always used after 'take a toll'. Do not use 'to' or 'at'.

• ✗ The economic crisis made a big toll on small businesses.

  ✓ The economic crisis took a big toll on small businesses.

  The verb 'take' is the correct collocation here. You cannot use 'make' or 'do' with 'toll'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• All this overtime is starting to ___ my energy levels.

  💡 cause gradual damage or wear

  Show answer

  take a toll on

• The harsh winter has really ___ the local wildlife.

  💡 past participle form of the expression

  Show answer

  taken a toll on