Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "red-handed" [red-handed]

  • In the act of committing something wrong. (adverb)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "red-handed" in a sentence
  • "Mr. Lipson opened his mouth to put in the caviar and stopped midbite as though I had caught him red-handed, eating my peers."
  • "She caught students red-handed with their parts entwined frequently, and the rest of the student body talked about sex as if it was just as normal as attending a baseball game or playing video games."
  • "And thanks for the French translations ... next time a customs official catches me red-handed with mon coupe menstruelle I'll know what to say!!"