bang to rights

bang to rights

With irrefutable proof of wrongdoing or illegal activity, usually used with the verbs "caught" or "have." Primarily heard in UK. The officer caught the gangster bang to rights, having discovered several kilograms of narcotics hidden in the back of the vehicle. Freeze, creep! I have you bang to rights!
See also: bang, right
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bang to rights

(of a criminal) with positive proof of guilt. informal
A North American variant of this expression is dead to rights .
1993 G. F. Newman Law & Order He hadn't got the most vital piece of information he needed in order to capture the blaggers bang to rights.
See also: bang, right
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

bang to ˈrights

(British English) (American English dead to ˈrights) (informal) in the act of committing a crime, so that you cannot claim to be innocent: We’ve got you bang to rights handling stolen property.
See also: bang, right
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • caught
  • be caught with (one's) trousers down
  • be caught with your pants down
  • be caught with (one's) pants down
  • caught with one's pants down, be
  • caught with (one's) pants down
  • with (one's) pants down
  • with pants down
  • caught bending
  • footed
References in periodicals archive
"They could and should have made this announcement days ago when they submitted papers into court on the Virgin challenge and when it must have been blindingly obvious they were bang to rights. Instead they have delayed the announcement in a cynical exercise in news management."
Announcement's 'odd' timing a 'cynical exercise'
If you're caught bang to rights with stolen goods all you have to do is say "It wasn't me, guv!" No wonder CPS has come to stand for "Couldn't Prosecute Satan".
CPS SWINGS THE LEAD ON THEFTS
You can argue all you want about the stupidity and ill-conceived case that the BHA brought - don't pursue any crooks unless you have them bang to rights.
Horse Racing: Credibility comes a poor second
Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat constitutional affairs spokesman, said: "The police and the Crown Prosecution Service have been caught bang to rights. They are both in the dock for good reason, and both are guilty."
WALES: MPs put case for 24-hour courts
'The thief was caught bang to rights and I even managed to recover the handbag although the barrister's credit cards were missing.
Handbag hero left baffled
They are hardly likely to hold up their hands and say: 'Okay guv, you've got me bang to rights.'
Howard Wright: Scotney approach aims to put Club in charge
All that was missing were the phrases 'bang to rights' and 'you're nicked'.
GEORGE TYNDALE: NOT SUCH A FAIR COP
Hate to agree with Russell Brand...but he has Nigel Farage bang to rights.
Say WHAT? snap shot
Talk about caught bang to rights. Cue a grovelling apology from Reed and a terse statement from the PGA Tour saying they would "deal with the matter internally".
CHIP SHOTS
"Whilst in the custody suite she said: 'I'm guilty, I'm bang to rights'."
Struggling mum threw stolen crisps at security guard
When arrested and cautioned on April 25 last year, Watson said: "You've got me bang to rights, mate.
DEALER IS LOCKED UP; Man 'bang to rights' with bags of heroin
Terry and Ferdinand both admitted, on oath, using offensive, insulting and/or abusive language to an opponent so the FA has them bang to rights. Ban them both.
Foul language not acceptable ... at any level; Roger's RANT
You've got me bang to rights. I am, at the very least, a very silly boy."
Jokes, music and rain - a fine recipe! PADDY SHENNAN Likes pubs, Everton, Half Man Half Biscuit. Hates everything else