Exploring the Curiosities 8 Hidden Histories Behind Common Phrases and Idioms

4. Caught Red-Handed

The idiom "caught red-handed" refers to someone being caught in the act of wrongdoing, especially a crime. Its origins lie in 15th-century Scotland, where it was used to describe someone caught with blood on their hands after committing murder or poaching. The term was first used in Scottish legal documents, indicating that the perpetrator was caught with unmistakable evidence of their crime. Over time, the phrase broadened to encompass any situation where someone is caught in the midst of illicit activities, symbolizing undeniable guilt and the inevitability of justice.