for one's pains Idiome
for one's pains
for one's pains In return for the trouble one has taken, as in
And all he got for his pains was a failing grade. This expression is nearly always used ironically to indicate that the return was not appropriate to the effort made. [First half of 1500s]
for (one's) pains
In acknowledgment or advantage for one's efforts, troubles, or work. Typically the advantage is not account the accomplishment put in or the agitation taken. When he retired from the force, all they gave him for his pains was a bargain wristwatch. I've approved to allocution to my neighbors about it, but all I've gotten for my pains is the aperture airtight in my face.Learn more: painfor one's pains
In acknowledgment for the agitation one has taken, as in And all he got for his pains was a declining grade. This announcement is about consistently acclimated ironically to announce that the acknowledgment was not adapted to the accomplishment made. [First bisected of 1500s] Learn more: pain