a nasty piece of work

a nasty piece of work

A difficult or disagreeable person or thing. His secretary is a nasty piece of work, always snapping at people for no reason. I know you're not excited about this family vacation, but please, don't be a nasty piece of work the whole time. This virus is a nasty piece of work. It's already infected millions of users.
See also: nasty, of, piece, work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a nasty piece of work

If someone is a nasty piece of work, they are very unpleasant. What about the husband, then? He's a real nasty piece of work. Note: Sometimes people use bit instead of piece, or use another adjective instead of nasty. He was a killer and a conman — an all-round nasty bit of work. She was a dreadful piece of work and anyone with eyes could have seen that.
See also: nasty, of, piece, work
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a nasty piece (or bit) of work

an unpleasant or untrustworthy person. informal
See also: nasty, of, piece, work
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a nasty piece of ˈwork

(British English, informal) a very unpleasant and dangerous person: Keep away from Bill Smith — he’s a very nasty piece of work. The factory manager was a nasty piece of work. We were all terrified of him.
See also: nasty, of, piece, work
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • nasty
  • be a nasty piece of work
  • junkyard dog
  • butt-head
  • umpteenth
  • pushy
  • butt-face
  • in the heat of the moment
References in periodicals archive
Said king, Olive, has been imprisoned for the past three years by his evil brother and usurper Boonder, a nasty piece of work who likes to put worms in his hair.
Allen, Will. Swords for hire
One said: "He was a nasty piece of work and had enemies."
Millionaire shot dead in car scrapyard riddle
This week a prime time documentary was dedicated to him, and a monstering by TV's Eddie Mair on which he was (probably accurately) labelled a nasty piece of work put him where he most likes to be - centre stage.
Boris IS nasty,but at least he isn't dull
But Mr Johnson, called a nasty piece of work by Mr Mair, tried to brush aside the 15-minute grilling that dealt a big blow to any hopes he had of becoming Prime Minister.
If a BBC presenter can't attack a nasty Tory politician what's the world coming to? DAD FURIOUS BUT BOJO SAYS.
But Mr Johnson - called "a nasty piece of work" by Mr Mair - tried to brush aside the 15-minute grilling that dealt a big blow to any hopes he had of becoming Prime Minister.
If a BBC presenter can't have a bash at a nasty Tory politician what is the world coming to? DAD FURIOUS BUT BOJO SAYS.
Now Owen may be a nasty piece of work, but what gives Chelsea the right to lecture anybody about anything is unclear.
YourLIFE: WE LOVE TELLY! - SOAPWATCH EASTENDERS BBC1, 8pm