be at pains

phrase

: to try hard (to do something)
They were at pains to distance themselves from the scandal.

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beat out
be at pains
Beatrice
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Cite this Entry

“Be at pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/be%20at%20pains. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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