 Fri Mar 17, 2006 22:29 pm Spare |
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Hi cooliegirly,
You asked:
| Quote: | I don't get what the bold part means.
"...as I have spared no pains in obtaining materials concerning him..."
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The verb spare in this context suggests being mean with/frugal with/ expressing the idea of not using much. This then transfers into the expression spare no pains into a negative idea as suggesting that you have exposed yourself to a lot of trouble/effort/pain in other words you have not been frugal with all the effort and pain.
Perhaps I could give another example: Don't spare me the details which means tell me all the details/tell me everything.
Hopeful of helping.
Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Weather |
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Alan
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Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 7274
Location: UK
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