A nasty piece of work

usgb
noun phrase

A person who is unpleasant, unkind, or difficult.

John, who always spreads rumors and cheats in exams, is a nasty piece of work.
Visual representation of "a nasty piece of work" - A person who is unpleasant, unkind, or difficult

Often appears as...

  • really a nasty piece of work
  • quite a nasty piece of work

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "a nasty piece of work"
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Negative Connotation

Indicates strong disapproval toward someone's behavior or personality, often due to unethical actions or attitude.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
After learning he bullied his classmates, I realized he's a nasty piece of work.
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Colloquial Use

Commonly used in informal spoken language, not suitable for formal writing unless quoting speech.

Illustration for Colloquial Use
At the reunion, everyone agreed that our old boss was a nasty piece of work.
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Emotional Weight

Carries an emotional punch, can hurt feelings if used carelessly about someone.

Illustration for Emotional Weight
She didn't hold back and told him he was a nasty piece of work to his face.
Visual representation of the word "A nasty piece of work"

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