English Dictionary

RED-HANDED

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

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 actplay

  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 reprehensibleplay

  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)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Rats desert a sinking ship." (English proverb)

"Who is shy dies from hunger." (Albanian proverb)

"A weaning baby that does not cry aloud, will die on its mothers back." (Zimbabwean proverb)

"The grass is always greener on the other side." (Danish proverb)



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