take pains
Be extremely careful
To take pains is to make a careful, deliberate effort—to be thorough and attentive rather than careless: She took pains to explain the process clearly.
The phrase suggests conscientious work that requires patience or sacrifice.
Someone who is painstaking approaches tasks with similar care.
You can take pains with something or take pains to do something.
- striveMake sustained effort
- endeavorPurposeful sustained attempt
- persevereContinue despite obstacles
- make an effortAttempt with intention
- go the extra mileSurpass what's asked
bend over backwards · spare no effort · scrupulous · diligence · apply oneself · go to great lengths · meticulous · detailed · dot the i's · conscientious · exacting · attentive · rigorous · put oneself out · leave no stone unturned · trouble · work hard · methodical
take painsslack off
Reduce one's effort
cut corners · phone it in · go through the motions · dash off · shirk
take, takes, taken, taking, taker, takers, takeover, takeaway, pain