red-handed

[red-han-did]

adjective

1. in the very act of a crime, wrongdoing, etc., or in possession of self-incriminating evidence.

   They caught him red-handed dipping into the till.

red-handed

adjective

1. (postpositive) in the act of committing a crime or doing something wrong or shameful (esp in the phrase catch red-handed )

Other Word Forms

• red-handedness noun
• red-handedly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of red-handed¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Word History and Origins

Origin of red-handed¹

C19 (earlier, C15 red hand )

Example Sentences

One way local authorities catch sellers red-handed is by sending undercover teenagers into shops across England.

From BBC

Caught red-handed poisoning her abusive boyfriend, played by Alexander Skarsgård, Gaga embarks on a nine-minute, high-energy spectacle featuring a dramatic jailbreak, bold fashion, and more poisoning.

From Salon

“I am surprised that any president in any administration would at least 100 times be caught red-handed violating the law,” Becerra said at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

Russian authorities say the American was "caught red-handed" with "classified information" while reporting in the city.

From BBC

He has long claimed that everyone he killed was a “criminal” who he caught red-handed breaking into these buildings.

From BBC