idiom · neutral
take its toll
UK/teɪk ɪts təʊl/US/teɪk ɪts toʊl/take·its·TOLL
speakingtask2
to cause gradual damage, harm, or loss over time
Examples
“Years of pollution have taken their toll on the river.”
“Constant stress eventually took its toll on her health.”
“The long commute was taking its toll on his energy levels.”
Band 8 sentence
“The economic downturn has taken its toll on small family businesses, forcing many to close permanently.”
Collocations
- take its toll on
- begin to take its toll
Word family
take a toll (on) idiom/verb phrasetook its toll verb phrase (past)taking its toll verb phrase (continuous)
Common mistakes
take toll on→take its toll on
take its tool on→take its toll on
Say it for a higher band
5harm→6damage→7+take its toll
Synonyms
damage
wear down
Easily confused
bear the brunt
“Nurses often bore the brunt of the crisis during the outbreak.”
Related words
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In Hardship
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