I used this expression just yesterday, in a derogatory sense, but a slightly different one. I was referring to a guy who has a reputation of being a bit of a braggart and a bit self-unaware. I used in the sense that his behavior is so outside the norms that it is somewhat funny.
elizabeth:
December 25th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
“a real piece of work” describes someone charismatic but dangerous, to whom other people are simply stepping stones in the pursuit of his or her goal or desire. The damage caused to others by his or her behavior is of no account to such a person.
An example is a very successful fund raiser, head of a major university, who at a major donor event who shook my hand smiled and looked right through me. Mid-term, he left to go to a different university for greater compensation.
Leave a comment
Search us!
Search The Word Detective and our family of websites:
This is the easiest way to find a column on a particular word or phrase.
To search for a specific phrase, put it between quotation marks. (note: JavaScript must be turned on in your browser to view results.)
Ask a Question!
Puzzled by Posh?
Confounded by Cattycorner?
Baffled by Balderdash?
Flummoxed by Flabbergast?
Perplexed by Pandemonium?
Nonplussed by... Nonplussed?
Annoyed by Alliteration?
Jenny:
August 10th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I used this expression just yesterday, in a derogatory sense, but a slightly different one. I was referring to a guy who has a reputation of being a bit of a braggart and a bit self-unaware. I used in the sense that his behavior is so outside the norms that it is somewhat funny.
elizabeth:
December 25th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
“a real piece of work” describes someone charismatic but dangerous, to whom other people are simply stepping stones in the pursuit of his or her goal or desire. The damage caused to others by his or her behavior is of no account to such a person.
An example is a very successful fund raiser, head of a major university, who at a major donor event who shook my hand smiled and looked right through me. Mid-term, he left to go to a different university for greater compensation.