redhanded
Caught in flagrante
Redhanded means in the act of committing a crime or wrongdoing, with evidence still fresh: caught redhanded.
The image is of a killer whose hands are still bloody.
The word appears almost exclusively with verbs of catching or discovery.
Also spelled red-handed.
Seized or grabbed
- nabbedSeized or arrested
- bustedApprehended or broken
- apprehendedCaptured or comprehended
- discoveredFound something previously unknown
exposed · detected · spotted · surprised · witnessed · trapped · snared · collared
Proving guilt or wrongdoing
- proofDemonstration of truth
- fingerprintFriction ridge impression
- forensicPertaining to legal investigation
- DNAHereditary code molecule
surveillance · witness · testimony · documentation · damning · smoking gun · corroborate · exhibit
Responsible for wrongdoing
- culpableDeserving of blame
- blameworthyDeserving of censure
- liableLegally responsible for something
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
shamefaced · embarrassed · ashamed · remorseful · contrite · confessed · implicated · indefensible
Offensively conspicuous
- flagrantShockingly conspicuous and wrong
- obviousEasily perceived, unmistakable
- glaringHarshly conspicuous or bright
- brazenShamelessly bold
unmistakable · undeniable · patent · manifest · overt · transparent · evident · clear-cut
Unlawful taking of property
- stealingUnlawful taking of property
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- robberyTheft through intimidation
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
embezzlement · cheating · pilfering · shoplifting · trespassing · smuggling · forgery · poaching
caught
Seized or grabbed
- nabbedSeized or arrested
- bustedApprehended or broken
- apprehendedCaptured or comprehended
discovered · exposed · detected · spotted · surprised · witnessed · trapped · snared · collared · pinched
incriminating
Proving guilt or wrongdoing
- proofDemonstration of truth
- fingerprintFriction ridge impression
- forensicPertaining to legal investigation
DNA · surveillance · witness · testimony · documentation · damning · smoking gun · corroborate · exhibit · incontrovertible
guilty
Responsible for wrongdoing
- culpableDeserving of blame
- blameworthyDeserving of censure
- liableLegally responsible for something
responsible · shamefaced · embarrassed · ashamed · remorseful · contrite · confessed · implicated · indefensible · undeniable
blatant
Offensively conspicuous
- flagrantShockingly conspicuous and wrong
- obviousEasily perceived, unmistakable
- glaringHarshly conspicuous or bright
brazen · unmistakable · undeniable · patent · manifest · overt · transparent · evident · clear-cut · unambiguous
theft
Unlawful taking of property
- stealingUnlawful taking of property
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- robberyTheft through intimidation
fraud · embezzlement · cheating · pilfering · shoplifting · trespassing · smuggling · forgery · poaching · looting
redhandedcircumstantial
Based on inference, not proof
circumstantially · indirectly · without proof · inferentially · speculatively
redhandedinnocent
Free from moral wrong
exonerated · cleared · vindicated · acquitted · blameless
redhandedundetected
Not discovered yet
unseen · unobserved · unnoticed · scot-free · without a trace
hand, handle, handy, handsome, handful, reddish, handled, handling, handed