Idiom – Caught red-handed

• Idiom – Caught red-handed
• Meaning – To be caught in the act. To be found doing something wrong or illegal. If you are caught red-handed you are caught with the evidence of your wrongdoings for all to see.
• According to The Phrase Finder this expression relates to murderers or poachers (a poacher is someone who hunts illegally) being caught with blood on their hands. Blood is  – of course – red.

Usage:

When could you use this idiom?

• Discussing a thief being caught with the stolen goods.
• Catching somebody in the act of committing a crime.
• Discussing a cheating partner being caught in the act of being unfaithful.
• Catching a student obviously cheating in an exam.

Example:

• “The police found him leaving the bank with a big bag of stolen money. He was caught red-handed!”

In The News:

Police appeal to trace burglar caught red-handed by Bath resident

Discuss: