take pains

verb

To use care and effort (to do something) despite any corresponding trouble or inconvenience.

“Near-synonyms: take the trouble, make an effort”

Similar
go to painsat painsgo to great lengthstake the troublemake an effortbe at pains
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Meanings

verbtake pains (third-person singular simple present takes pains, present participle taking pains, simple past took pains, past participle taken pains)

present singular third person takes pains · participle present taking pains · past took pains · participle past taken pains

  1. transitiveTo use care and effort (to do something) despite any corresponding trouble or inconvenience.

    Near-synonyms: take the trouble, make an effort

    1 more example

    Some G.O.P. lawmakers have made clear they do not agree with Mr. Trump’s approach, but most have done so taking pains not to criticize the president.

    2025 February 19, Robert Jimison, “As Trump Turns Against Ukraine, Republicans in Congress Stay Quiet”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

    Synonyms: go to pains, at pains, go to great lengths, take the trouble, make an effort

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo use care and effort (to do something) despite any corresponding trouble or inconvenience.

Similar
go to painsat painsgo to great lengthstake the troublemake an effort

More synonyms by meaning

verbtry very hard to do something

Similar
be at pains
Broader
endeavorendeavourstrive
Also see
go to painsmake an effort

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

take pains. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20pains

MLA

“take pains.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20pains. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “take pains,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20pains.

Source: take pains on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.