hand in the cookie jar
Discovered mid-theft
Caught in the act of doing something wrong, especially stealing or taking what isn't yours.
The image is of a child sneaking treats and being discovered mid-grab: They found the CEO with his hand in the cookie jar, siphoning company funds.
The phrase emphasizes being caught red-handed rather than merely suspected.
- caught in the actDiscovered mid-wrongdoing
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- guilty conscienceSelf-blame for wrongdoing
- pilferingMinor, sneaky theft
- skeletons in the closetHidden embarrassing past
behind closed doors · shoplifting · embezzlement · grab · busted · shame · deceit · on the sly · dishonor · larceny · crumbs · sweet tooth · betrayal · scandal · forbidden · sneaky · sticky fingers · misappropriation
hand in the cookie jargetting away with it
slipping through the cracks · flying under the radar · undetected · off the hook · plausible deniability
hand in the cookie jarclean hands
Freedom from wrongdoing
above board · squeaky clean · innocent · blameless · beyond reproach
hand in the cookie jaropen book
One easily understood
cards on the table · nothing to hide · transparent · forthright · candid