Idiom: villain of the piece

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/inter-58 “Lots of Pieces”, question 3

Because when the … of the piece arrived in the shape of a burglar to steal something, he didn’t find anything valuable.

(a) villain
(b) peasant
(c) evil
(d) devil

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/inter-58 “Lots of Pieces”, answer 3

Because when the villain of the piece arrived in the shape of a burglar to steal something, he didn’t find anything valuable.

Correct answer: (a) villain

Your answer was: [color=red]incorrect
Because when the evil of the piece arrived in the shape of a burglar to steal something, he didn’t find anything valuable.
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

what’s the villain of the piece? I know villain means burglar or a thief…is villain used for only one type of crime?? like peter claimer for trains?

2

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Villain is a general word for evil-doer, or the bad guy in a story, book or movie. Here, piece means the story, book, movie or other medium.
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3

Dear Teachers

What does “the villian of the piece” mean? Is it an idiom?

Thank you

Thu

4

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Not exactly an idiom, but a fixed phrase, certainly. It means the bad person in the situation; the trouble-causer.
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