red-handed
adverb or adjective
red-hand·ed
ˈred-ˈhan-dəd 
: in the act of committing a crime or misdeed
caught red-handed
Examples of red-handed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The moment a man was caught red-handed trying on his wife's clothes has gone viral on TikTok, racking up over 41 million views.
—
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Such individuals often avoid taking personal responsibility at all costs, even when caught red-handed.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Racking up over 108,000 views, the clip shows the moment a tuxedo cat called Bob was caught red-handed hanging out inside the reptiles' enclosure.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The 81-year-old Burke, caught red-handed shaking down businesses needing city permits and approvals, got the same two-year penalty that Menendez is seeking.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Bell shared the video of Shepard getting caught red-handed on her Instagram story as the actor was locked in on the action from Ford Field, where the Lions pummeled the Vikings to take the #1 seed in the NFC.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
After he's caught red-handed, the pilot goes to confront him when the captain stabs him before throwing him overboard.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Have you ever been caught red-handed regifting during the holidays?
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024
Loading your audio article A man allegedly caught red-handed trying to steal tires off a vehicle at a Farmington hotel Tuesday was involved in a crash with a police cruiser during an escape attempt before he was found hiding in the nearby woods.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Such individuals often avoid taking personal responsibility at all costs, even when caught red-handed.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Racking up over 108,000 views, the clip shows the moment a tuxedo cat called Bob was caught red-handed hanging out inside the reptiles' enclosure.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The 81-year-old Burke, caught red-handed shaking down businesses needing city permits and approvals, got the same two-year penalty that Menendez is seeking.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Bell shared the video of Shepard getting caught red-handed on her Instagram story as the actor was locked in on the action from Ford Field, where the Lions pummeled the Vikings to take the #1 seed in the NFC.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
After he's caught red-handed, the pilot goes to confront him when the captain stabs him before throwing him overboard.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Have you ever been caught red-handed regifting during the holidays?
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024
Loading your audio article A man allegedly caught red-handed trying to steal tires off a vehicle at a Farmington hotel Tuesday was involved in a crash with a police cruiser during an escape attempt before he was found hiding in the nearby woods.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Red-handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red-handed. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share