red-handed
In the act
Red-handed describes being caught in the act of doing something wrong: The thief was caught red-handed.
The image is of blood still on the hands—evidence too fresh to deny.
Almost always appears with verbs of catching or discovery: caught red-handed, nabbed red-handed.
Captured or comprehended
uncovered · discovered · captured · trapped · collared · snared · seized · cornered
Demonstration of truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- incriminatingProving guilt or wrongdoing
- damningProving guilt conclusively
smoking gun · incontrovertible · irrefutable · undeniable · conclusive · unambiguous · clear-cut · obvious
Deserving of blame
- blameworthyDeserving of censure
- liableLegally responsible for something
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
- accountableObligated to explain oneself
at fault · in the wrong · incriminated · convicted · caught out · bang to rights · dead to rights · guilty as charged
Unlawful taking of property
- stealingUnlawful taking of property
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- robberyTheft through intimidation
- shopliftingStealing store merchandise
embezzlement · fraud · pickpocketing · larceny · cheating · lying · trespassing · vandalism
Violent sudden disturbance
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- speechlessUnable to talk
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
startled · gobsmacked · dumbfounded · flabbergasted · thunderstruck · blindsided · ambushed · unexpected
apprehended
Captured or comprehended
exposed · uncovered · discovered · captured · trapped · collared · snared · seized · cornered · intercepted
proof
Demonstration of truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- incriminatingProving guilt or wrongdoing
damning · smoking gun · incontrovertible · irrefutable · undeniable · conclusive · unambiguous · clear-cut · obvious · manifest
culpable
Deserving of blame
- blameworthyDeserving of censure
- liableLegally responsible for something
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
accountable · at fault · in the wrong · incriminated · convicted · caught out · bang to rights · dead to rights · guilty as charged · undeniable
theft
Unlawful taking of property
- stealingUnlawful taking of property
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- robberyTheft through intimidation
shoplifting · embezzlement · fraud · pickpocketing · larceny · cheating · lying · trespassing · vandalism · misconduct
shock
Violent sudden disturbance
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- speechlessUnable to talk
stunned · startled · gobsmacked · dumbfounded · flabbergasted · thunderstruck · blindsided · ambushed · unexpected · sudden
- ___-handed wordsbackhanded, offhanded, underhanded, ambidextrous
- Color Idiomsblack sheep, blue moon, green light, white lie, golden rule
red-handedinnocent
Free from moral wrong
guiltless · blameless · in the clear · above suspicion · clean-handed
red-handedindirectly
Via intermediate means
speculatively · allegedly · circumstantial · circumstantially · without proof