Catch somebody red-handed

phrase

To discover or notice someone while they are doing something wrong or illegal.

The store manager caught a thief red-handed, stealing items from the shop.
Visual representation of "catch somebody red-handed" - To discover or notice someone while they are doing something wrong or illegal

Often appears as...

  • caught him red-handed
  • catch someone red-handed in the act

Usage tips

Idiomatic

phrase

To discover or notice someone while they are doing something wrong or illegal.

The store manager caught a thief red-handed, stealing items from the shop.
Visual representation of "catch somebody red-handed" - To discover or notice someone while they are doing something wrong or illegal

Often appears as...

  • caught him red-handed
  • catch someone red-handed in the act

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "catch somebody red-handed"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Visual Evidence

The phrase often implies that the wrongdoing is witnessed visually, almost as if caught on camera.

Illustration for Visual Evidence
He was caught red-handed on the security footage.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Immediate Confrontation

Using the phrase suggests someone is confronted at the very moment of committing the wrongdoing.

Illustration for Immediate Confrontation
She caught them red-handed tampering with her documents.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Implies Guilt

It implies the person has no excuse or denial for their actions because they were clearly in the wrong.

Illustration for Implies Guilt
He admitted his guilt after being caught red-handed stealing the car.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Visual Evidence

The phrase often implies that the wrongdoing is witnessed visually, almost as if caught on camera.

Illustration for Visual Evidence
He was caught red-handed on the security footage.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Immediate Confrontation

Using the phrase suggests someone is confronted at the very moment of committing the wrongdoing.

Illustration for Immediate Confrontation
She caught them red-handed tampering with her documents.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Implies Guilt

It implies the person has no excuse or denial for their actions because they were clearly in the wrong.

Illustration for Implies Guilt
He admitted his guilt after being caught red-handed stealing the car.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Visual Evidence

The phrase often implies that the wrongdoing is witnessed visually, almost as if caught on camera.

Illustration for Visual Evidence
He was caught red-handed on the security footage.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Immediate Confrontation

Using the phrase suggests someone is confronted at the very moment of committing the wrongdoing.

Illustration for Immediate Confrontation
She caught them red-handed tampering with her documents.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Implies Guilt

It implies the person has no excuse or denial for their actions because they were clearly in the wrong.

Illustration for Implies Guilt
He admitted his guilt after being caught red-handed stealing the car.
Visual representation of the word "Catch somebody red-handed"

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