Language Research

piece · noun C

/piːs/Full view

piece (PART)

A2 a part that has come from something bigger

Dictionary examples:

a piece of cake

She cut the pie into six pieces.

The bowl fell on the floor and smashed to pieces.

The bowl was in pieces.

Learner example:

After that, we can go to drink a cup of coffee and eat a piece of cake. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

piece (SINGLE THING)

A2 a single object of a particular type

Dictionary examples:

a piece of fruit

a piece of equipment/furniture

He handed me a piece of paper.

Learner example:

You must bring two or three pencils, a piece of paper, crayons and a pencil sharpener. (Key English Test; A2; Vietnamese)

piece (SINGLE AMOUNT)

B1 a single amount of a particular type of thing

Dictionary examples:

I have an interesting piece of information/news for you.

She gave me a very useful piece of advice.

Learner example:

You can visit the churches, the ancient bu[i]ldings, and some other interesting places. That's my piece of advice. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

piece (ART/LITERATURE/MUSIC)

B2 an example of artistic, written, or musical work

Dictionary examples:

a beautiful piece of music

an orchestral piece

There was an interesting piece on alternative medicine in the newspaper yesterday.

Learner example:

Traditionally, the most famous pieces of the Strauss repertoire will be performed creating a brilliant atmosphere. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)

be a piece of cake

B2 to be very easy

Dictionary example:

The exam itself was a piece of cake.

Learner example:

The article was a piece of cake though I didn't expect to win. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

go/fall to pieces

C2 If someone goes to pieces, they become so upset that they cannot control their feelings or think clearly.

Dictionary example:

He went to pieces when his mother died.

Learner example:

He was amazed [at] his ability to solve the problems as he came to them and not go to pieces, like Hooper did. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

pick up the pieces

C2 to try to get back to an ordinary way of life after a difficult experience

Dictionary example:

After Ruth's death, Joe found it hard to pick up the pieces and carry on.

Learner example:

Now that I'm settled in my own country, picking up the pieces and trying to start a new life, I've decided that having a diary is not a bad idea after all. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

bits and pieces

C2 small things or jobs which are not connected or not very important

Dictionary example:

We've packed most of it up now, there are just a few bits and pieces left.

Learner example:

So, it's memories that make us keep odd bits and pieces. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)