Dictionary

piece of work en · NOUN

First use appears c. 1473. The idiomatic second sense came about due to Hamlet’s monologue. See cite from sense 1 below.

A product or manufactured article, especially an item of art or craft.
- What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
- 1996, David Ansen "The Killer And The Nun (film review)," Newsweek, 8 Jan., “Dead Man Walking” is a powerful and intelligent piece of work.
(derogatory, idiomatic, often) A person who has a strong and unusual personality, especially one with seriously unpleasant character flaws.
- She built a reputation as a piece of work; if she didn't like a crowd, sometimes she'd walk off stage in midset and call a cab home. 1991 April 29, “Music: The Ballads Of Shirley Horn”, in Newsweek:
- Known as Pixie for his fresh looks, and Dr Death for his cold stare of disapproval, Rudd was said to have few friends in Canberra. Former Labor leaders Paul Keating and Mark Latham described him, respectively, as "a menace" and "a terrible piece of work". 2007 November 25, Elizabeth Keenan, “Australia's New Order”, in Time:
- Ugh! She's a piece of work. "A rotten, bad piece, I'd call it," answered Wheedles under his breath. 1911, Gabrielle Emilie Jackson, Peggy Stewart at home, page 259:

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
pieces of work	Number=Plur		lexicographic