What does en flagrant délit mean in French? 

While words and phrases used to describe criminal activity were not necessarily a prominent part of our school French curriculum, all children have experienced being caught red-handed – and many French youngsters will have heard the phrase “en flagrant délit” when they have been found out.

Your Language noter heard the phrase most recently in a television news report about a pair of crafty thieves who pilfered a trolley-load of high-end chocolate from a supermarket.

They managed to evade in-store security by using a cunning distraction, but one was eventually tracked down through CCTV analysis, duly arrested and charged.

En flagrant délit – which, confusingly, can also be délit flagrant – comes from the Latin in flagrante delicto. It stems from flagrāns, meaning “flaming” or “blazing”, and dēlictum (“offence”).

In English, we might also say “caught with your trousers down” or “caught in the act”.

Under French law, le flagrant délit refers to a situation in which a person is caught in the act of committing a crime, or immediately afterwards, and is in possession of evidence suggesting their involvement in that crime.

If you do see someone evidently up to no good, the French Code of Criminal Procedure says you can step in if you wish – and make a citizen’s arrest.

“In cases of a flagrant felony or misdemeanour punishable by imprisonment, any person is authorised to apprehend the perpetrator and bring them before the nearest judicial police officer.”

Anyone guilty of something is deemed coupable, blâmable or condamnable.