catch someone red-handed
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Littéralement: to catch someone with red hands
Use it when you surprise someone in the middle of a sneaky or forbidden act.
En 15 secondes
- Catching someone exactly while they are doing something wrong.
- Requires immediate, undeniable proof or being an eyewitness.
- Used for both serious crimes and lighthearted mischief.
Signification
This phrase describes catching someone in the middle of doing something wrong or sneaky. It is used when you have undeniable proof because you saw them while they were doing it.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Catching a child with candy
I caught my daughter red-handed with her hand in the cookie jar.
I caught my daughter red-handed with her hand in the cookie jar.
Workplace slacking
The boss caught him red-handed watching movies during the meeting.
The boss caught him red-handed watching movies during the meeting.
Texting about a cheating partner
She caught him red-handed texting his ex-girlfriend last night.
She caught him red-handed texting his ex-girlfriend last night.
Contexte culturel
The phrase originates from 15th-century Scottish law regarding poaching and animal theft. To be convicted, a person had to be found with the blood of the animal still on their hands. It became a mainstream literary term after being used by Sir Walter Scott in the 1800s.
Use it for 'The Reveal'
This phrase is most powerful at the climax of a story. Save it for the moment of total surprise!
Don't use for accidents
If someone drops a glass by mistake, don't use this. It implies the person was trying to be sneaky or do something wrong.
En 15 secondes
- Catching someone exactly while they are doing something wrong.
- Requires immediate, undeniable proof or being an eyewitness.
- Used for both serious crimes and lighthearted mischief.
What It Means
Imagine you find your roommate eating your secret stash of chocolate. Their face is covered in crumbs. You didn't just find the empty wrapper; you saw the crime happen. That is being caught red-handed. It means there is no way for the person to deny what they did. You have the evidence right in front of you. It is about the moment of discovery.
How To Use It
You usually use this phrase with the verb to catch. The structure is catch [someone] red-handed. You can use it for serious crimes or small, funny mistakes. It works in the past tense too, like I caught him red-handed. Sometimes we use the passive voice: He was caught red-handed. It adds a bit of drama to your storytelling. Use it when the evidence is fresh and obvious.
When To Use It
Use this when the timing is perfect. Use it at work if a colleague is playing games instead of working. Use it at home when a child is drawing on the walls. It is great for texting friends about gossip. It fits perfectly in any situation where someone is being a bit naughty. It makes the story feel more vivid and exciting.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you only suspect someone did something. If you find a broken vase but didn't see who did it, you can't use this. It requires an eyewitness moment. Also, avoid it in very formal legal documents. Lawyers might say caught in the act instead. It is a bit too colorful for a police report. Don't use it for accidents either.
Cultural Background
This phrase has a dark and bloody history from Scotland. Centuries ago, if someone killed a cow that wasn't theirs, they were only guilty if they were found with blood on their hands. If they cleaned up, they might get away with it. Over time, the 'blood' became metaphorical. Now, it applies to everything from cheating on a test to stealing a cookie. It shifted from violent crime to everyday mischief.
Common Variations
You might hear people say caught in the act. This is the more formal cousin of our phrase. Some people just say caught him green-handed as a joke if someone was gardening or stealing money. However, red-handed is the classic version everyone knows. Stick to the original for the best impact. It is a staple of English idioms.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is very versatile and fits into most social situations. It is slightly more dramatic than saying 'I saw him,' making it great for storytelling. Avoid using it in strictly legal or scientific writing where precise terminology is required.
Use it for 'The Reveal'
This phrase is most powerful at the climax of a story. Save it for the moment of total surprise!
Don't use for accidents
If someone drops a glass by mistake, don't use this. It implies the person was trying to be sneaky or do something wrong.
The Scottish Connection
Did you know this phrase is over 500 years old? It started in Scottish legal documents to describe poachers caught with fresh meat.
Exemples
6I caught my daughter red-handed with her hand in the cookie jar.
I caught my daughter red-handed with her hand in the cookie jar.
A very common, literal use of the phrase for small mischief.
The boss caught him red-handed watching movies during the meeting.
The boss caught him red-handed watching movies during the meeting.
Shows a lack of professionalism being discovered.
She caught him red-handed texting his ex-girlfriend last night.
She caught him red-handed texting his ex-girlfriend last night.
Used for emotional betrayals or secrets.
The security guard caught the shoplifter red-handed as he left the store.
The security guard caught the shoplifter red-handed as he left the store.
Used in a more serious, literal context of a crime.
I caught you red-handed trying to hide my keys!
I caught you red-handed trying to hide my keys!
Playful use between friends.
The student was caught red-handed using a cheat sheet during the final exam.
The student was caught red-handed using a cheat sheet during the final exam.
Commonly used in school or university settings.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom.
The manager walked in and caught Sarah ____-handed while she was deleting the files.
The idiom is always 'red-handed,' referring to the historical idea of blood on one's hands.
Select the best context for this phrase.
You can say you caught someone red-handed if...
This phrase specifically requires being an eyewitness to the act as it happens.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Catch Red-Handed'
Used with friends for jokes.
Caught you stealing my fries!
Common daily use in news or stories.
He was caught red-handed at the scene.
Legal or professional settings.
The suspect was apprehended red-handed.
When to use 'Red-Handed'
Cheating on a test
Teacher sees the notes.
Office Gossip
Boss overhears the talk.
Pet Mischief
Dog eating off the table.
Shoplifting
Caught by the camera.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot anymore! While it started with blood, today it just means being caught in the act of any wrongdoing, like using a phone in class.
Usually no. It is almost always for something bad, sneaky, or embarrassing. You wouldn't say you caught someone red-handed giving to charity.
It is almost always hyphenated as red-handed when used as an adjective describing how someone was caught.
Yes, it is neutral enough for the office. For example, He was caught red-handed taking credit for my work.
They mean the same thing, but red-handed is more descriptive and common in casual storytelling, while caught in the act is slightly more formal.
No, the phrase is fixed. You cannot change the body part or the color, or people won't understand the idiom.
Usually, yes. The essence of the phrase is that the person was caught while the 'evidence' was still visible.
It is an idiom, but not necessarily slang. It is widely accepted in journalism, literature, and everyday conversation.
Absolutely! It's very common to say, I caught the cat red-handed on the kitchen counter.
Yes, you change the verb catch to caught. The phrase red-handed stays exactly the same.
Expressions liées
Caught in the act
Smoking gun
Caught flat-footed
With your hand in the cookie jar
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