catch red-handed
To discover or capture someone in the act of committing a crime.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The teacher caught him red-handed cheating on the test.”
“The manager walked into the office and caught the employee red-handed while he was stealing money from the register.”
“Despite his elaborate attempts to conceal the theft, the security guard caught him red-handed as he tried to exit the building with the stolen goods.”
- 01
catch a body
to kill, to murder
- 02
catch a break
To experience the minimal amount of good luck or a favorable outcome.
- 03
catch a case
To be infected with a disease; used with of.
- 04
catch a cold
To contract a cold.
- 05
catch a date
Of a prostitute, to secure a client who is willing to pay for services.
- 06
catch a fade
To get knocked out (struck and rendered unconscious).
- 07
catch a falling knife
To buy a financial instrument whose price is falling rapidly.
- 08
catch a packet
To be fired upon.
Last updated August 10, 2026