# catch red-handed

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/catch-red-handed
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To discover or capture someone in the act of committing a crime.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.