the person or thing that is guilty or responsible for what is harmful or
wrong in some activity or
situation. Piece here alludes to a theatrical
play and villain refers to the
character whose
evil motives or actions
form an important
element in the
plot. The
phrase villain of the piece originated around the mid-1800s.
(informal) the person or thing that is guilty of or responsible for something bad or harmful. The
phrase is taken from the theater, where it means the
evil character in a
play.