Clumsy handler is unlucky (4,5)
I believe the answer is:
hard lines
'unlucky' is the definition.
(both might be said to express sympathy)
'clumsy handler is' is the wordplay.
'clumsy' indicates anagramming the letters.
'handler'+'is'='handleris'
'handleris' with letters rearranged gives 'HARD LINES'.
(Other definitions for hard lines that I've seen before include "Tough" , "Script full of tongue-twisters?" , "Bad luck" .)