[Idiom] CAUGHT IN THE ACT. - Caught Red-Handed: When Mistakes Are Uncovered
Caught in the act.
Discovered doing something wrong.
'Caught in the act' literally means being found while actively engaging in an inappropriate or illegal activity. It conjures an image of undeniable guilt, as one is directly discovered amidst wrongdoing. This expression is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts when an individual is unexpectedly discovered in the midst of misconduct, leaving little room for excuses or denial.
Example Sentences
Caught in the act, the thief had no excuse to offer.
The thief had no excuse after being caught during the act.
The children were caught in the act of sneaking candies before dinner.
The children were caught sneaking candies before dinner.
She caught her dog in the act of chewing on her favorite shoes.
She found her dog chewing on her favorite shoes.