The Village Idiom

take great pains

Analyze the idiom "take great pains": The idiom "take great pains" means to put in a lot of effort and care to achieve something or complete a task.

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In a sentence

  • She took great pains to plan the surprise party, making sure every detail was perfect.
  • The author took great pains to research the historical events, ensuring the accuracy of the novel.
  • The team took great pains to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy, analyzing market data and conducting consumer surveys.

Where it comes from and how it is used

Take great pains is an idiom that has been used in the English language for many years. It means to put in a lot of effort or take a lot of care to do something. The idiom can be traced back to the late 16th century, where it was first recorded in a book by William Shakespeare called "Love's Labour's Lost." In this play, the character Costard uses the phrase to describe his efforts in finding a wife.

The idiom "take great pains" is often used in a figurative sense. It doesn't mean to physically take pain or cause pain to oneself. Instead, it is a metaphorical expression that conveys the idea of putting in a lot of effort or taking a lot of care. This use of figurative language adds depth and richness to the English language.

People use the idiom "take great pains" to describe a wide range of activities or actions where a person is putting in a lot of effort. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For example, someone might say "She took great pains to organize the event," meaning that the person put in a lot of time and effort to ensure that the event was well-planned and executed.

The idiom "someone's heart out" is used to describe someone who is putting in a lot of effort or working very hard. It emphasizes a person's dedication and commitment to a particular task or goal. For example, someone might say "She sang her heart out during the performance," meaning that the person gave their all and put in a tremendous amount of effort and passion.

The idiom "no pain, no gain" is often used to encourage people to work hard and endure difficult or uncomfortable situations in order to achieve success or reach their goals. It suggests that in order to achieve something worthwhile, one must be willing to put in effort and face challenges. For example, someone might say "I know it's tough, but remember, no pain, no gain," meaning that they are encouraging someone to push through the difficulties and challenges in order to achieve success.

The idiom "take great pains" is a commonly used expression that means to put in a lot of effort or take a lot of care to do something. It can be traced back to the late 16th century and is often used in a figurative sense. Other related idioms include "at pains," "go to great lengths," "dig deep," "someone's heart out," and "no pain, no gain." These idioms all convey the idea of putting in a lot of effort, being thorough, and making a great effort to achieve a goal or overcome a challenge. They add depth and richness to the English language and are widely understood and used in both formal and informal contexts.

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