What does “Catch someone red-handed” mean?
"Catch someone red-handed" means to catch someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The police caught the thief red-handed as he was trying to break into the house.
Example
I walked in on my sister eating my chocolate cake red-handed.
Example
The teacher caught the student red-handed cheating on the exam
Is “Catch someone red-handed” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Catch someone red-handed” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Catch someone red-handed” effectively in context?
You can use "Catch someone red-handed" to describe the act of catching someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegal. It emphasizes the element of surprise and immediate discovery. For example, if you see your friend stealing money from your wallet, you can say, 'I caught him red-handed!'
- 1Crime
The police caught the thief red-handed as he was trying to break into the house.
- 2Personal Conflict
I walked in on my sister eating my chocolate cake red-handed.
- 3Academic Dishonesty
The teacher caught the student red-handed cheating on the exam.
Similar phrases to “Catch someone red-handed”:
To be caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal
Example
They were busted for selling counterfeit goods.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Catch someone red-handed” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Catch someone red-handed" is believed to come from Scotland in the 15th century. At that time, there was a law called 'the law of theft red hand,' which stated that if someone was caught with blood on their hands after committing a crime, they were considered guilty. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean catching someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.
Is “Catch someone red-handed” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Catch someone red-handed" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where someone is caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.
What tone does “Catch someone red-handed” have?
"Catch someone red-handed" conveys a tone of surprise and immediate discovery. It's often used to express shock or disbelief when witnessing someone in the act of wrongdoing.
Can “Catch someone red-handed” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Catch someone red-handed" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes a specific situation of catching someone in the act. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as legal proceedings or professional reports.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The teacher caught the student red-handed cheating on the exam.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Caught red-handed!' to imply the act of catching someone in the act.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- catch in the act
- discover someone in the act
- surprise someone in the act
- uncover someone's wrongdoing
Antonyms
- miss the mark
- fail to catch someone in the act
- overlook someone's wrongdoing
