be at pains
idiom
: to try hard (to do something)
They were at pains to distance themselves from the scandal.
Examples of be at pains in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time, the Chinese government will be at pains not to give any support to a narrative that Beijing is worried about the strategic partnership.
—
Joseph Torigian, Fortune, 3 July 2023
The hockey federation, and International Olympic Committee officials, will be at pains not to anger a host nation, and certainly not one as powerful as China.
—New York Times, 28 Oct. 2021
Attorney General Letitia James is well aware of the potential hazards of incurring Cuomo’s wrath and seemed to be at pains to make the report as bland as possible.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 12 Feb. 2021
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illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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Joseph Torigian, Fortune, 3 July 2023
The hockey federation, and International Olympic Committee officials, will be at pains not to anger a host nation, and certainly not one as powerful as China.
—New York Times, 28 Oct. 2021
Attorney General Letitia James is well aware of the potential hazards of incurring Cuomo’s wrath and seemed to be at pains to make the report as bland as possible.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 12 Feb. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near be at pains
Cite this Entry
“Be at pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/be%20at%20pains. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
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