English Dictionary |
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
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)
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)
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