C1idiomhealthIELTS-friendly
take its toll
USUK
to have a bad effect on someone's health or wellbeing over a period of time
Fine in writing as well as speech. Add 'on' + what is harmed: 'take a toll on your sleep'. Often with 'heavy'.
In context
The long commute was taking its toll, so she found a job closer to home.
Years of night shifts have started to take their toll on my mum's health.
More idioms about health
- a clean bill of healtha doctor's statement, after an examination, that someone is healthy
- back on your feethealthy and active again after an illness or injury
- butterflies in your stomacha nervous, fluttering feeling before something important
- get on someone's nervesto annoy someone, especially by doing something again and again
- go under the knifeto have a medical operation