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caught red-handed

caught in the act of wrongdoing

In Idioms & Sayings

In more detail

(idiom) caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal; discovered while committing a crime or misdeed

Examples

• The thief was caught red-handed stealing from the store.

How to use caught red-handed

This idiom is used when someone is discovered committing a wrongdoing at the exact moment it is happening, leaving no room for denial or excuse. It emphasizes the undeniable nature of the discovery and is commonly used in both serious and lighthearted contexts—from crime reports to everyday situations like catching a child with their hand in the cookie jar. The phrase is more vivid and emphatic than simply saying 'caught' or 'discovered.'

Register: informal

Common phrases

• caught red-handed stealing
• caught red-handed lying
• caught red-handed cheating
• be caught red-handed
• get caught red-handed

Synonyms

caught in the act · caught red-handed · caught in the middle of · apprehended · found out

A common mistake

Learners sometimes say 'caught with red hands' or 'caught red hand' instead of using the complete idiom 'caught red-handed.'

Nearby in Idioms & Sayings

blow off steam, bury the hatchet, by the book, cross that bridge when you come to it, devil's advocate, down to earth

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained