for trouble

for (all) one's trouble

In exchange for the effort that one has made. Usually, the "reward" that such effort yields is negative. A: "But you've been so much better about getting to work on time!" B: "Yep, and all I got for my trouble was the boss criticizing my typing skills instead." And what did I get for all my trouble? A lousy commemorative pin.
See also: trouble

for (all) one's trouble

in spite of one's efforts; in return for one's efforts. (Implies that the "trouble" was not worth taking, or was harmful.) He got a punch in the jaw for all his trouble. For her trouble, she got only honorable mention.
See also: trouble
References in classic literature ?
It is certain, so many overthrown estates, so many votes for troubles. Lucan noteth well the state of Rome before the Civil War,
View in context
Another way to explain the relative higher shareholders' fund/total assets ratio for trouble a firms, is that troubled firms usually have more difficulty in attracting outside funds.
Predicting corporate financial troubles with accounting ratios : evidence from Nigeria
NoFauxxx.com was a modest success for Trouble, riding the coattails of the alt-porn revolution.
The head of Good Releasing saw a rough cut of Roulette and not only offered to distribute it for Trouble, but also wanted to sign her on as a director for their proposed new line of queer-themed films, Real Queer Productions.
Trouble with a capital T: filmmaker Courtney Trouble and the new queer porn scene
Mobs of fans from both sides roamed Katowice's streets looking for trouble and the Polish skinheads - in bomber jackets and DM boots - were just as keen on a fight as the English "designer yobs".
A spokesman for the National Criminal Intelligence Service said yesterday: "A number of supporters went over there with a view to having a fight and simply roamed the streets looking for trouble."
MUMS AND KIDS FLEE AS ENGLISH SCUM RAMPAGE
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