at pains

English

Pronunciation

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Prepositional phrase

at pains

1. (idiomatic, with infinitive) Making careful effort (to).

   The agency has been at pains to stress that its decisions are still based on sound science.

   He was at great pains to distance himself from the rumours.

Usage notes

• Emphasis is by using an adjective to modify "pains", commonly "great": at great pains.

Translations

making careful effort

• French: faire tout son possible pour
• Swedish: bemöda sig om att (be at pains to)

See also

• go to great lengths, go to pains

Anagrams

• Antipas, patinas, pinatas, piñatas, tai-pans, taipans