[red-han-did] 
| in the very act of a crime, wrongdoing, etc., or in possession of self-incriminating evidence: They caught him red-handed dipping into the till. |
| red-hand·ed (rěd'hān'dĭd) adv. & adj. In the act of committing something wrong. [Earlier red-hand, with the hands red (from blood).] red'-hand'ed·ly adv. |