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Originally Posted by Reveille  I think this has something to do with shoplifting/stealing. I know that when I was younger the phrase would be, 'Yeah, [s]he got caught red handed' in regard to such. |
"Caught red-handed" is a very common phrase. It doesn't refer to stealing specifically, but simply means "caught in the act", whatever the act may be, with the implication that said act is dishonest. It can be used for catching someone in the act of stealing, but it can be used for catching someone enagaged at that moment in any dishonest act.
I can catch my new puppy red-handed chewing cables, for example.