take a lot out of

take a lot out of (one)

To cause one a great amount of mental or physical exhaustion. I used to be able to run for miles when I was younger, but these days it takes a lot out of me just climbing a long flight of stairs! I'm sorry if I seem a bit scatterbrained. These legal negotiations always take a lot out of me. I love the heat, but I know it takes a lot out of my mother.

See also: lot, of, out, take

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

take a lot out of someone

to drain a lot of energy from someone. This kind of workout takes a lot out of the team. Hot days like this take a lot out of me.

See also: lot, of, out, take

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.