Dead to rights Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɛd/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈɹaɪts
DED-tuh-RYTS
dˈɛd/ /tˈuː/ /ɹˈaɪts
DED-tuh-RYTS
Definition
To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong, with clear proof of their guilt. Often used when someone is clearly guilty and cannot deny it.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal, mostly spoken or in crime-related stories. Usually emphasizes undeniable proof ('caught dead to rights'). Not used literally; avoid in formal writing. Synonyms: 'caught red-handed', 'caught in the act'.
Spanish: con las manos en la masa - cogido infragantiPortuguese (BR): pego no flagra - pego em flagrantePortuguese (PT): apanhado em flagranteChinese (Simplified): 当场抓住 - 明确证据Chinese (Traditional): 當場抓住 - 明確證據Hindi: पूरी तरह रंगे हाथों पकड़ाArabic: متلبس الجريمة - ممسوك متلبسًاBengali: আপত্তিজনক অবস্থায় ধরাRussian: пойман с поличнымJapanese: 現行犯で捕まえたVietnamese: bắt quả tangKorean: 현장에서 잡히다Turkish: suçüstü yakalamakUrdu: عین موقع پر پکڑناIndonesian: tertangkap basah
Example Sentences
The police caught him dead to rights stealing the car.
basic
She was dead to rights with the evidence on the table.
basic
If you have a video, I've got him dead to rights.
basic
They thought they could get away, but we had them dead to rights.
natural
With those fingerprints on the scene, he's dead to rights.
natural
You want a confession? We have him dead to rights already.
natural