English Lesson # 161 – To take a toll on something (Idiom) - Learn English Pronunciation & Vocabulary.


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Sometimes, we do things that have a negative impact on us. We may not realize it initially, but as time passes, we can clearly see or feel the bad effects they have on us.

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The idiom ‘to take a toll on something’ basically means to have a bad effect on something. We use this idiom to say that something has an adverse effect or reduces the good effect of another thing.
When something ‘takes a toll on’ someone or something, it means that the subject is having a negative effect on the object, be it a person or a thing. Usually, when a person or thing has been doing a certain action a lot, and that action starts having an adverse or a bad impact on the person or thing doing it, it means that it has taken a toll as it has affected the person or thing negatively. So, in short when something has harmful or damaging effects, we say it takes a toll on that person or thing.

In this idiom, ‘to take’ is a verb that shows the action of receiving or performing a negative effect. Its past form is took and past participle is ‘taken’.

For example, if you have been stressed over a long period of time, due to work pressure and meeting deadlines at work, they take a toll on you after a certain period. This is because stress has a negative impact on you. You may start facing various health issues like hypertension, disturbed sleep patterns, you may take to smoking and drinking.

English sentences to practice conversation :

Example 01: Working on the computer for long hours daily, takes a toll on one’s eyesight.

Example 02: Working in a graveyard shift for a long time can take a toll on one’s health.

Example 03: Seeing her parents undergoing a divorce took a toll on the little Mary’s upbringing.

Example 04: Extensive exercising over the years has taken a toll on Kevin’s knees. He has to wear a knee cap now.

Example 05: Over consumption of alcohol over the years, takes a toll on the liver.

Example 06 : Being insulted at work by her team leader took a toll on her confidence.

Example 07: After witnessing a road accident, it took a toll on Samantha’s mood and she couldn’t focus on her work the entire day.

Example 08: Heavy rains in the city took a toll on the schedule of all the airlines.

What takes a toll on you? How do you manage it?

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