手て垢あかのついた

expression, noun-modifying (irregular)

well-thumbed; well-handled; showing signs of heavy use

Describes a physical object, especially a book, that has become grimy or worn from repeated handling. Literally 'with hand grime attached'.

• 彼かれの辞じ書しょは手て垢あかのついたページが多おおかった。

  His dictionary had many well-thumbed pages.

• 手て垢あかのついた古ふるい漫まん画がを古ふる本ほん屋やで見みつけた。

  I found a well-handled old comic at the used bookstore.

expression, noun-modifying (irregular)

worn-out; stale; hackneyed

Figurative extension: an idea, joke, or phrase that has been overused and lost freshness, as if soiled by too many hands.

• その手て垢あかのついたジョークには誰だれも笑わらわなかった。

  Nobody laughed at that worn-out joke.

• 手て垢あかのついた表ひょう現げんを避さけて、新しん鮮せんな言いい方かたを探さがそう。

  Let's avoid hackneyed expressions and look for fresh phrasing.