red-handed Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite in the act of committing a crime or other reprehensible act
    • caught red-handed
  2. adverb doing something reprehensible or showing clear evidence of having done something reprehensible
    • he was caught red-handed

WordNet

Red"-hand`, Red"-hand`ed adjective ∨ adverb (Also<
  • Red-hand rdhnd
  • Red-handed
)
Definitions
  1. Having hands red with blood; in the very act, as if with red or bloody hands; -- said of a person taken in the act of homicide; hence, fresh from the commission of crime; as, he was taken red-hand or red-handed. usu. caught red-handed

Webster 1913