RED-HANDED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does red-handed mean? 

• RED-HANDED (adjective)
  The adjective RED-HANDED has 1 sense:

1. in the act of committing a crime or other reprehensible act

  Familiarity information: RED-HANDED used as an adjective is very rare.

• RED-HANDED (adverb)
  The adverb RED-HANDED has 1 sense:

1. doing something reprehensible or showing clear evidence of having done something reprehensible

  Familiarity information: RED-HANDED used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RED-HANDED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In the act of committing a crime or other reprehensible act

Context example:

caught red-handed

Similar:

guilty (responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act)

• RED-HANDED (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Doing something reprehensible or showing clear evidence of having done something reprehensible

Context example:

he was caught red-handed

 Context examples 

François knew he was behind all the trouble, and Buck knew he knew; but Buck was too clever ever again to be caught red-handed.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

They were as nearly as possible captured red-handed.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)