take pains with

take (great) pains with (something)

To expend a lot of time, effort, and care doing something. Your tutor took great pains with your instruction, but it's obvious that you've totally wasted his time and our money! It's clear that the owners have taken great pains with the interior design of the new restaurant. My grandmother always took pains with her appearance throughout her life, so losing her hair during her cancer treatment was especially difficult for her.See also: pain, take

take pains with someone or something

Fig. to deal with someone or something with great care. He really took pains with me to make sure I understood it all. Ken took pains with the model plane.See also: pain, take

take (great) ˈpains with something/to do something

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go to great ˈpains to do something

make a great effort to do something well, carefully, properly, etc: It looks easy but in fact he went to great pains to achieve that particular effect in his paintings. ♢ She takes great pains with the flower arrangements.See also: pain, something, take