Idiom
catch red-handed
Meanings
to find or discover someone while they are doing something wrong, with clear proof
Definition
To catch red-handed means to catch someone in the act of doing something wrong.
If you catch someone red-handed, you discover them while they are actually doing something illegal, dishonest, or forbidden. The evidence is immediate and obvious, so they cannot easily deny it. It is often used in everyday situations as well as in crime-related contexts.
Examples
- The manager caught red-handed the employee taking cash from the register.
- I caught him red-handed copying answers during the exam.
- They were caught red-handed trying to break into the garage.
- She caught red-handed her roommate reading her private messages.
Common mistake
Learners often say "catch with red hands" instead of the fixed form "catch red-handed."
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a relaxed, friendly chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of what you have done or a difficult situation.