Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

bang-to-rights

idiom

/bæŋ tuː raɪts/

Definition

To be caught red-handed; to be caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.

Examples

After the security footage was reviewed, he was caught bang-to-rights in the act of stealing from the store.
The evidence presented in court left the defendant bang-to-rights, making it impossible for him to prove his innocence.
When the teacher found the student with answers hidden in his desk, he was bang-to-rights.

Meaning

The phrase ‘bang-to-rights’ refers to a situation where someone is clearly and undeniably guilty of a wrongdoing. It implies a sense of being caught without any chance of escape or denial.