A severe and powerful blow, which may be either dealt or received. I got a really nasty wallop from a two-by-four on the construction site last week. His left hook can deal a nasty wallop if he catches you with it.

To be 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.

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.

A liberal-minded woman. The phrase became a rallying cry and self-identifier for supporters of Hillary Clinton after Donald Trump referred to Clinton as "such a nasty woman" during a 2016 presidential debate. If I'm a "nasty woman" because I believe in equal rights for women, then so be it!

Inexpensive and poorly constructed. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Don't buy anything from that shop unless you're OK with it breaking—everything they sell is cheap and nasty.

To become unpleasant or troublesome. I didn't know they had a problem with each other until things got nasty and resulted in a screaming match at my dinner party.

To become unpleasant or troublesome. I didn't know they had a problem with each other until things turned nasty and resulted in a screaming match at my dinner party.

To give one a negative impression (based on something that has already happened). I don't know, man, the fact that he lied to you just leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. The way they conducted the interview left me with a nasty taste in my mouth. I don't think I'd accept the job even if they offered it.

To give one a negative impression (based on something that has already happened). I don't know, man, the fact that he lied to you just leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. The way they conducted the interview left a nasty taste in the mouth. I don't think I'd accept the job even if they offered it.

Something illicit, immoral, illegal, or scandalous that is kept secret or hidden away from public sight. A line taken from Stella Gibbon's 1933 novel Cold Comfort Farm, in which a character discusses "something nasty in the woodshed" she witnessed as a child. Primarily heard in UK. With multiple reports of abuse coming to light, it certainly seems there is something nasty in the woodshed at the hospice care center. While the film initially presents him as a kindly old man, it begins hinting that there's something nasty in the woodshed lurking behind his benevolent demeanor.

slang Particularly nasty or disgusting. The room they gave us was shag-nasty, but it was already 1 AM and there wouldn't be another motel for several hours at least. Judging by the shag-nasty gunk that came out of their engine, I'd say they haven't changed the oil in years.