Idiom
catch red-handed
Meanings
To catch someone while they are in the middle of doing something wrong or illegal, with obvious proof.
Definition
To catch red-handed means to catch someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.
If you catch someone red-handed, you discover them while they are actually committing a bad or illegal action. It often suggests there is clear, immediate evidence, so the person cannot deny it. The phrase is commonly used in everyday speech, news, and stories about wrongdoing.
Examples
- The manager caught red-handed the employee stealing snacks from the storeroom.
- The police caught red-handed the thief as he tried to break into the car.
- I caught red-handed my brother looking at my phone while I was out of the room.
- They caught red-handed the student copying answers during the exam.
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 a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious 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 a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.