give (someone or something) the benefit of the doubt

To retain a favorable or at least neutral opinion of someone or something until the full information about the subject is available. You're my sister! Can't you give me the benefit of the doubt, instead of believing the worst about me right away? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt before we start accusing him. There may be a good explanation for the missing money.

give the benefit of the doubt

Regard someone as innocent until proven otherwise; lean toward a favorable view of someone. For example, Let's give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that she's right. [Mid-1800s]

give someone the benefit of the doubt

COMMON

1. If you give someone the benefit of the doubt, you decide to believe that what they are saying is honest, even though it is possible that they are not telling the truth. As to whether she deliberately lied or got the facts wrong, I suppose we could give her the benefit of the doubt.

2. If you give someone the benefit of the doubt, you decide to believe that what they are doing is right, even though it is possible that they are doing something wrong. I am basically a trusting person. I make it a practice to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

See also: benefit, doubt, give, of, someone

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

give somebody the ˌbenefit of the ˈdoubt

accept that a person is right or innocent because you cannot prove that they are not: She said she was late because of the traffic and I gave her the benefit of the doubt.

See also: benefit, doubt, give, of, somebody

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

benefit of the doubt
the benefit of the doubt
an/the advantage over (someone or something)
benefit of the doubt, to give/have the
an/the edge on (someone or something)
an/the edge over (someone or something)
put a spin on
put a spin on (something)
well disposed to
well disposed to (someone or something)

词组	give (someone or something) the benefit of the doubt
释义	give (someone or something) the benefit of the doubt give (someone or something) the benefit of the doubt To retain a favorable or at least neutral opinion of someone or something until the full information about the subject is available. You're my sister! Can't you give me the benefit of the doubt, instead of believing the worst about me right away? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt before we start accusing him. There may be a good explanation for the missing money. See also: benefit, doubt, give, of Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. give the benefit of the doubt Regard someone as innocent until proven otherwise; lean toward a favorable view of someone. For example, Let's give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that she's right. [Mid-1800s] See also: benefit, doubt, give, of The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. give someone the benefit of the doubt COMMON 1. If you give someone the benefit of the doubt, you decide to believe that what they are saying is honest, even though it is possible that they are not telling the truth. As to whether she deliberately lied or got the facts wrong, I suppose we could give her the benefit of the doubt. 2. If you give someone the benefit of the doubt, you decide to believe that what they are doing is right, even though it is possible that they are doing something wrong. I am basically a trusting person. I make it a practice to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. See also: benefit, doubt, give, of, someone Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. give somebody the ˌbenefit of the ˈdoubt accept that a person is right or innocent because you cannot prove that they are not: She said she was late because of the traffic and I gave her the benefit of the doubt. See also: benefit, doubt, give, of, somebody Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: benefit of the doubt the benefit of the doubt an/the advantage over (someone or something) benefit of the doubt, to give/have the an/the edge on (someone or something) an/the edge over (someone or something) put a spin on put a spin on (something) well disposed to well disposed to (someone or something)
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