at pains
Appearance
English
[edit]Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (General Australian): (file)
Prepositional phrase
[edit]- (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
[edit]- Emphasis is by using an adjective to modify "pains", commonly "great": at great pains.
Translations
[edit]making careful effort
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