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 )

Derived Forms

• ˌred-ˈhandedly, adverb
• ˌred-ˈhandedness, noun

Other Words From

• red-handed·ness noun

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

“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

The Russian authorities say the American was "caught red-handed" with "classified information".

From BBC

Again, Trump is desperate, so he may run the substantial risk that he will get caught red-handed.

From Salon