take (great) pains (to do something) | go to great pains (to do something)idiomPart ofgreattake (great) pains (to do something) | go to great pains (to do something)take (great) pains (to do something) | go to great pains (to do something) — idiomidiom1. To make a lot of effort to achieve something.1.idiomDefinitionTo make a lot of effort to achieve something.ExampleShe took great pains to ensure the event ran smoothly.He went to great pains to hide his disappointment.