benefit of the doubt

American  

noun

1. a favorable opinion or judgment adopted despite uncertainty.

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Etymology

Origin of benefit of the doubt

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

While robots and robo-taxis generate little revenue and earnings, the combination of robot potential, Musk’s history, and lack of alternatives means that investors have given it the benefit of the doubt, though new money should wait for a better entry price.

From Barron's

Even with monster cloud-revenue growth of 48%, Alphabet hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt around its rapidly rising artificial-intelligence spending.

From MarketWatch

“Try to give Israel the benefit of the doubt, okay? If he says he was being sincere, believe him.”

From Literature

And he said that while professional discipline—including potential disbarment—would have been appropriate, he would give Halligan “the benefit of the doubt” because of her unusual “inexperience” as a prosecutor.

From Slate

McPeake, for one, is giving them the benefit of the doubt.

From Barron's