Verb
take its toll (third-person singular simple present takes its toll, present participle taking its toll, simple past took its toll, past participle taken its toll)
(idiomatic, often followed by on) To affect something, especially negatively; to damage or degrade; to cause harm or destruction.
Time had taken its toll on the old bridge, and it was no longer sound.
Heavy smoking and drinking will take its toll on a person's health.
Growing up, all I did was work and vacation, but I loved it, no one pushed me into anything. The thing was I developed no special skills. I don't have any resentment because I am a performer and I've always felt that, but it did take its toll socially. Dana Plato
Rock and Roll has certainly tried to take its toll on me. I'd rather not talk about my past excesses here, although some hardcore rockers might argue that those excesses were responsible for some great records, but I know which side I came out on. Tony Visconti
Life will take its toll on all of us. We get injured, we get old. It's really sad to try to run away from these harsh realities of life. Looks are not everything. I am not going to look beautiful all the time. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan