English Explanatory Dictionary

bang to rights

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adv
  1. Red-handed, (caught) in the act.
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bang (adverb), to rights.
verb
  1. To have sufficient, indisputable evidence that a person's actions are generally perceived to be wrong; to catch red-handed.

Pronunciation

en-au-bang to rights.ogg

Word forms

bang to rights more bang to rights most bang to rights banged to rights bangs to rights banging to rights

Etymology

From bang (“completely”) + to rights (“properly”). Originally US; attested from the start of the 20th century.

Synonyms

dead to rights bang to rights blameworthily compunctiously guiltylike guiltily nocently red-handedly

Related words

fair cop
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