[catch] {sb} red-handed
1
to arrest or see someone the moment they are doing something that is illegal or dishonest
The idiom "catch someone red-handed" traces its origin to the practice of catching a person with literal blood stains on their hands, serving as irrefutable evidence of their involvement in a crime or wrongdoing. In earlier times, the phrase was associated with catching a thief or murderer immediately after the act, when their hands were stained with the victim's blood. Over time, the idiom evolved to describe any situation where someone is caught in the act of committing an offense or engaging in illicit activities, leaving them with undeniable proof of their guilt.
- The neighbor caught the children red-handed when they were throwing rocks at his car, leaving visible dents.
- The surveillance camera caught the graffiti artist red-handed spraying paint on the wall.
- The store manager caught the employee red-handed stealing money from the cash register.
- The teacher caught the student red-handed while copying answers from a classmate's test.
- The police caught the burglar red-handed as he was attempting to pick the lock of the house.