手て癖くせが悪わるい

expression, i-adjective

having a habit of stealing; light-fingered

Idiomatic expression describing someone who has a habitual tendency to steal or pilfer, often in a casual or petty manner. The phrase literally means 'bad hand habit'.

• 彼かれは手て癖くせが悪わるいから、貴き重ちょう品ひんはしまっておいたほうがいい。

  He has a habit of stealing, so you'd better put your valuables away.

• あの店てん員いんは手て癖くせが悪わるいという噂うわさだ。

  There's a rumor that that shop assistant is light-fingered.