Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

red-handed

idiom

/ˈrɛdˈhændɪd/

Definition

Caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.

Examples

He was caught red-handed stealing from the store.
The burglar fled the scene but was caught red-handed by the police.
She knew her brother was lying, but he was caught red-handed when she found the missing money in his pocket.

Meaning

The phrase ‘red-handed’ refers to someone who is caught directly engaged in a wrongdoing, often implying evidence of guilt at the moment of the offense.