flagrante delicto

American  

[fluh-gran-tee di-lik-toh] / fləˈgræn ti dɪˈlɪk toʊ /

Also in flagrante delicto,

adverb

1. Law. in the very act of committing the offense.

2. while having illicit sex with someone.

---

flagrante delicto British  

/ fləˈɡræntɪ dɪˈlɪktəʊ /

adverb

1. See in flagrante delicto

---

Etymology

Origin of flagrante delicto

From Latin: literally, “while the offense is (still) burning”

Example Sentences

Another triptych, a 2019 painting titled “Sappho,” shows two women in flagrante delicto in the backseat of a vehicle that explodes with riotous nature.

From Los Angeles Times

When the pair is spotted by one of the brothers in flagrante delicto, the interracial violence we’ve been expecting ensues, though in the aftermath, the narrative again takes an unanticipated turn.

From New York Times

Eventually Emily comes to realize his actual aims, helped there by stumbling upon Sam and Sue in flagrante delicto.

From Salon

When her philandering husband dies in flagrante delicto, she hides the body and concocts a story to get some sweet, sweet attention.

From Los Angeles Times

"In Greek criminal procedure there is a process known as "in flagrante delicto" and it applies to people caught in the act of committing an offence," says Athens lawyer Konstantinos Starantzis.

From BBC