take (great) pains
idiom
: to try hard (to do something)
He took (great) pains to explain the situation to us.
Examples of take (great) pains in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And, when the Vandals are together in public, the police take pains to stay out of their way.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 June 2024
Operating systems take pains to randomize and conceal these locations so they can’t be used in software exploits.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 11 Apr. 2024
Notably, however, the Ukrainian armed forces take pains to promise humane treatment for all who surrender.
—Olga Oliker, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2022
Wicked may take great pains to recreate the musty Britain of the 1920s, but don’t be fooled by the cloche hats and frilly frocks.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2024
Some people take great pains to opt out as much as possible.
—Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
As such, take pains not to muddy this one of three batters with anything that could detract from or mar what should remain the purity and integrity of this layer.
—Emily Reynolds Bergh, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Both films take great pains to point out the backbreaking work that goes into producing your meal.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
One wrinkle for people who take pains to optimize their airflow: The LCD screens are only visible on one side of each fan.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2023
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 June 2024
Operating systems take pains to randomize and conceal these locations so they can’t be used in software exploits.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 11 Apr. 2024
Notably, however, the Ukrainian armed forces take pains to promise humane treatment for all who surrender.
—Olga Oliker, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2022
Wicked may take great pains to recreate the musty Britain of the 1920s, but don’t be fooled by the cloche hats and frilly frocks.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2024
Some people take great pains to opt out as much as possible.
—Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
As such, take pains not to muddy this one of three batters with anything that could detract from or mar what should remain the purity and integrity of this layer.
—Emily Reynolds Bergh, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Both films take great pains to point out the backbreaking work that goes into producing your meal.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
One wrinkle for people who take pains to optimize their airflow: The LCD screens are only visible on one side of each fan.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take (great) pains.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Take (great) pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20%28great%29%20pains. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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