caught with one’s hand in the cookie jar (to be) [exp]

Meaning:

• To see someone is taking something and catch them.

Examples:

1. The salesman caught the boy with his hand in the cookie jar during shoplifting.
2. The manager caught the accountant with her hand in the cookie jar, embezzling funds from the company.
3. He was caught with his hand in the cookie jar when his phone showed texts that contradicted his story.
4. The politician was caught with his hand in the cookie jar after evidence of corruption surfaced.
5. The employee was caught with his hand in the cookie jar, falsifying expense reports.
6. When the child tried to sneak candy before dinner, his mother caught him with his hand in the cookie jar.