phrase🎓 English idiom

caught red-handed

caught in the act of doing something wrong

What it means

Caught in the very act of doing something wrong, leaving no doubt about guilt. It is used when someone is discovered while committing the wrongdoing rather than merely suspected afterward.

Examples

  • The thief was caught red-handed slipping a watch into his coat pocket.
  • She was caught red-handed copying answers during the final exam.
  • He swore he was innocent, but the cameras caught him red-handed.
  • The children were caught red-handed raiding the cookie jar before dinner.

Where it comes from

A Scottish phrase dating to the 15th century, originally referring to a murderer or poacher literally having blood on their hands.

Related idioms

#in hot water#face the music#turn a blind eye#under the table

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