at pains, be at

be at pains

To put forth effort toward some goal or end. Annabelle is at pains to make sure her relatives are comfortable when they come to visit. So far, she's cleaned the whole house and set up all the guest rooms.

at pains, be at

Also, take pains. Make a special effort or take extra trouble to do something. For example, Bob was at pains to make a good first impression and wore his best suit, or Mary took pains to make sure her speech would interest the audience. [First half of 1500s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

See also:

be at pains
be at pains to do something
at pains
at pains to
burst a blood vessel
bustle
bustle about
bustle about doing
bustle about some place
bustle around

词组	at pains, be at
释义	at pains, be at be at pains To put forth effort toward some goal or end. Annabelle is at pains to make sure her relatives are comfortable when they come to visit. So far, she's cleaned the whole house and set up all the guest rooms. See also: pain Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. at pains, be at Also, take pains. Make a special effort or take extra trouble to do something. For example, Bob was at pains to make a good first impression and wore his best suit, or Mary took pains to make sure her speech would interest the audience. [First half of 1500s] The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. See also: be at pains be at pains to do something at pains at pains to burst a blood vessel bustle bustle about bustle about doing bustle about some place bustle around
随便看	dish it out dish on dish on (someone or something) dish out dishpan hands dishrag dish something out dish the dirt dish the dirt on (someone or something) a plum in (one's) mouth a plum in your mouth apocalypse a point of departure a point of honor a point of honour a point of pride a point of view a poisoned chalice a poison pen letter a polite fiction a political football apologize for apology a poor craftsman blames his tools a poor relation