Meaning of "a nasty piece of work"

[Sevide]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #58 "Lots of Pieces", question 7

He told him he was a wicked person and further he was a ......... piece of work.

(a) horrible
(b) nasty
(c) disgusting
(d) bad

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #58 "Lots of Pieces", answer 7

He told him he was a wicked person and further he was a nasty piece of work.

Correct answer: (b) nasty
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Hi,

Does a nasty piece of work means nasty person?

Thanks beforehand:)

[Alan]

Hi Sevide,

Exactly, it means a nasty person.

Alan
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[Watie]

what does 'a wicked person' mean?

Thank you..

[Kitosdad]

A person with evil intent.
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[Alijmz]

Dear sir;

what the difference between nasty and disgusting, and why we can't use disgusting here.

regards;
Ali

[Alan]

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Hi Alijmz,

'Nasty' has very much the sense of 'unpleasant' and could refer to people, food, smells,behaviour. 'Disgusting' is very much stronger and suggests so unpleasant that it makes you feel sick. I would say that it isn't often used directly about people but more about the way they behave and of course when it is applied to describing food, it means food that you can't really eat because it looks and tastes horrible.

I hope that gives you some idea of the difference in meaning.

Alan
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