Wiktionary
adv. 1 In the act of committing a misdeed. 2 While performing sexual activity.
Wikipedia
In flagrante delicto ( Latin: "in blazing offence") or sometimes simply in flagrante ( Latin: "in blazing") is a legal term used to indicate that a criminal has been caught in the act of committing an offence (compare ). The colloquial "caught in the act", "caught with one's pants down" or "caught red-handed" are English equivalents.
The phrase combines the present active participle flagrāns (flaming or blazing) with the noun dēlictum (offence, misdeed, or crime). In this term the Latin preposition in, not indicating motion, takes the ablative. The closest literal translation would be "in blazing offence", where "blazing" is a metaphor for vigorous, highly visible action.
Aside from the legal meaning, the Latin term is often used colloquially as a euphemism for someone's being caught in the midst of sexual activity.
Usage examples of "in flagrante delicto".
Andais did answer the Seelie in flagrante delicto more often than not, or nearly so.
Victor felt uncomfortable for a moment, in the way that a young man caught in flagrante delicto by his older sister will.
She had indeed beentaped in flagrante delicto -- not with another man, but with a woman.
Before that, the spiciest topic of conversation involved the night Hiram Buchanon's barn burned down and a cheerleader got caught dashing out in flagrante delicto, smoldering panties in hand.
She was puffing when she reached the lounge,where the miniature Modes were still in flagrante delicto.
She was puffing when she reached the lounge, where the miniature Modes were still in flagrante delicto.
He would be caught in flagrante delicto, and, with a heavy sentence hovering over him, he would probably be induced to name his accomplice, Mr.
Apparently, being found in flagrante delicto with the headmaster had made Helga gravely ill.
And, of course, if she had caught you two in flagrante delicto, she wouldn't have stopped at cutting up doors.