reasonable
Related to reasonable: reasonable care, Reasonable person standard
beyond a reasonable doubt
With confidence; without any doubt. This phrase is most commonly heard in legal proceedings. The jury acquitted him because they could not say that he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
See also: beyond, doubt, reasonable
reasonable person
In law, a hypothetical person against which the defendant's actions in a case are judged. The goal is to determine whether or not a "reasonable person" would act as the defendant did. Any reasonable person would have done the same thing my client did in that situation, and you know it!
See also: person, reasonable
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
beyond a reasonable doubt
almost without any doubt. (A legal phrase.) The jury decided beyond a reasonable doubt that she had committed the crime. He was also found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
See also: beyond, doubt, reasonable
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
beyond a doubt
Also, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Certainly so, undoubtedly so, as in Beyond a doubt this is the best view of the valley. This phrase, along with the earlier without doubt (dating from c. 1300), asserts the truth of some statement. W.S. Gilbert's version, in The Gondoliers (1889), is: "Of that there is no manner of doubt-no probable, possible shadow of doubt-no possible doubt whatever." In this context shadow means "a trace or slight suggestion." Another variant is beyond a reasonable doubt. This phrase is often used in court when the judge instructs the jury that they must be convinced of the accused's guilt or innocence beyond a reasonable doubt; reasonable here means "logical and rational." Also see beyond question; no doubt.
See also: beyond, doubt
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- beyond a reasonable doubt
- no cigar
- lex dubia non obligat
- I say
- beck and call
- (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
- a penny for them
- great minds
- great minds think alike