A/some piece of work

usgb
noun phrase

A complicated or difficult person or thing.

She's really a piece of work, never doing what she's told.
Visual representation of "a/some piece of work" - A complicated or difficult person or thing

Often appears as...

  • he's a piece of work
  • that's a piece of work

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "a/some piece of work"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Slightly Negative

Suggests negative feelings towards a person or situation without being too harsh.

Illustration for Slightly Negative
He missed another deadline; he's quite a piece of work.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Sarcastic Tone

Often used with a sarcastic tone to express disbelief or disapproval.

Illustration for Sarcastic Tone
Left a mess again? You're some piece of work!
LampPro Tip 3/3

Informal Context

Used in informal conversations among friends or colleagues, not in formal settings.

Illustration for Informal Context
Our new neighbor argues about everything; he's a piece of work.
Visual representation of the word "A/some piece of work"

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