take great pains

a great deal

Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

cross to take up

Alternative form of cross to bear.

forget to take one's medication this morning

To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

give and take

A process of compromise or accommodation.

give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

go great guns

To perform particularly well; to be particularly successful.

go to great lengths

To make a major effort; to be very careful when doing something, especially to an extreme or excessive degree.

great balls of fire

Expressing great surprise.