人赃俱获

人贓俱獲

rénzāngjùhuò

idiom

Meanings

1 to be caught with the stolen goods
2 to be caught red-handed
3 to nab both the criminal and the loot

Characters

stolen goods; loot

to capture; to obtain

Examples

警方设伏，将走私团伙人赃俱获。

Jǐngfāng shèfú, jiāng zǒusī tuánhuǒ rénzāngjùhuò.

Police set up an ambush and caught the smuggling ring red-handed with the goods.

小偷刚出门就被人赃俱获。

Xiǎotōu gāng chūmén jiù bèi rénzāngjùhuò.

The thief was nabbed with the loot the moment he stepped out the door.

这次行动人赃俱获，铁证如山。

Zhè cì xíngdòng rénzāngjùhuò, tiězhèngrúshān.

This operation caught them with the goods — the evidence is ironclad.

Tips

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Police, news, and legal language. The 赃 specifically means stolen or illicit property, so the idiom only fits theft, smuggling, bribery and similar crimes.

Stroke Order

人 rén

赃 zāng

俱 jù

获 huò