benefit of the doubt

the benefit of the doubt

The withholding of judgment so as to retain a favorable or at least neutral opinion of someone or something when the full information about the subject is not yet available. You're my sister! Can't you give me the benefit of the doubt, instead of believing the worst about me? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt before we start accusing him. There may be a good explanation.
See also: benefit, doubt, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

benefit of the doubt

a judgment in one's favor when the evidence is neither for one nor against one. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I was right between a B and an A. I got the benefit of the doubt—an A. I thought I should have had the benefit of the doubt, but the judge made me pay a fine.
See also: benefit, doubt, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

benefit of the doubt

A favorable judgment granted in the absence of full evidence.
See also: benefit, doubt, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • the benefit of the doubt
  • withhold
  • withhold (something) from (someone or something)
  • withhold from
  • an/the advantage over (someone or something)
  • an/the edge on (someone or something)
  • an/the edge over (someone or something)
  • benefit of the doubt, to give/have the
  • put a spin on
  • put a spin on (something)
References in periodicals archive
The appeal panel will probably rule that the Taunton stewards did the right thing, because they properly gave the benefit of the doubt to the guilty party, not to the innocent one.
Giving benefit of doubt t o the guilt y par ty is not just ice
'Members of Congress are honorable people, so let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Any doubt on that, then I will suggest that you address your question to them,' he said.
Palace: Public can question House SALN restriction
'So, I am clear that Nigeria will never ever have the basis to give PDP the benefit of the doubt.'
South-South APC Rally Significant a Oshiomhole
2079 would also require the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to enforce the rule that veterans are to be given the benefit of the doubt and would expand the jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit to allow it to consider a broader range of issues.
Judicial review bills seek to strengthen veterans' rights. (Legislative Update)
I'm inclined to give Armstrong the benefit of the doubt. These are without exception extraordinarily well-composed pictures endowed with a certain negative capability.
L.C. ARMSTRONG
The real message of zero tolerance harassment policies is that henceforth there's to be no benefit of the doubt given to debatable or borderline speech.
Shut up, they explained
The result: If you do not give Perry the benefit of the doubt, you may feel he wrote the book with less than admirable intentions.
Malcolm: The Life of a Man Who Changed Black America
'PDP is just not an option; particularly when their candidate is not a new face; there is no basis for benefit of the doubt.
Oshiomhole Meets Osinbajo In Aso Rock; Says 'PDP Not An Option' In 2019 Elections
Benilde skipper Yankee Haruna signed a protest sheet which Blazers coach TY Tang said was simply 'for the benefit of the doubt.'
Controversial NCAA ending
The court acquitted their five accomplices by giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Two get death for kidnap, murder of trader
However, his accomplices- Haroon and Faryad- were acquitted by giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Killer of sister gets death
Yes, it could be a foul but give the player the benefit of the doubt.
Rob blow too harsh
If it had been, I'm sure the last week or so would have seen a lot more talk on the subjects of 'double-movement' and 'benefit of the doubt'.
Sterling'svalueis Timewelost the risingacross benefit of doubt
And the second one is, the benefit of the doubt should then go to the bowler.
Kasprowicz wants bowlers too switch it up as well
Proverbs 4, 26 A kEEN sense of honour will always be too unselfish to give one's self the benefit of the doubt.
pray.