to be at pains to do something
1go to great pains (to do something) — go to/take great pains (to do something) to try very hard to do something. I went to great pains to get this record for you …
2at pains to do something — at pains to (do something ) making an effort to do something. The management was at pains to stress that there are no plans for closing the factory. He was at pains to show he does not favor the change …
3take (great) pains to (do something) — to try very hard to do something. We took great pains to insure that no one felt left out. Related vocabulary: go to great lengths to do something …
4be at pains to do something — be at pains (to do something) to try very hard to make sure that you tell someone the correct information about something and that they understand it. The management was at great pains to stress that there are no plans for closing down the… …
5take great pains (to do something) — go to/take great pains (to do something) to try very hard to do something. I went to great pains to get this record for you …
6be at pains to do something — phrase to try very hard to do something The solicitor was at pains to explain the effects of his client’s plea. Thesaurus: to try hard to do or get somethingsynonym Main entry: pain …
7go to great pains (to do something) — take (great) pains (to do sth) | go to great pains (to do sth) idiom to put a lot of effort into doing sth • The couple went to great pains to keep their plans secret. Main entry: ↑painsidiom …
8take (great) pains (to do something) — take (great) pains (to do sth) | go to great pains (to do sth) idiom to put a lot of effort into doing sth • The couple went to great pains to keep their plans secret. Main entry: ↑painsidiom …
9be at pains to do something — to try very hard to do something The solicitor was at pains to explain the effects of his client s plea …
10(be) at pains to do something — be at pains to do sth idiom to put a lot of effort into doing sth correctly • She was at great pains to stress the advantages of the new system. Main entry: ↑painsidiom …
