1
general::
Someone who habitually takes on burdensome or unpleasant tasks or unreasonable amounts of work. For example, Rose agreed to organize the church fair for the third year in a row? she's a glutton for punishment. This expression originated as a glutton for work in the late 1800s, punishment being substituted about a century later.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): a glutton for punishment
Fig. someone who is eager for a burden or some sort of difficulty; someone willing to accept a difficult task. • Tom works too hard. He is a glutton for punishment. • I enjoy managing difficult projects, but I am a glutton for punishment.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs