benefit of the doubt

noun

1. a favorable opinion or judgment adopted despite uncertainty.

Word History and Origins

Origin of benefit of the doubt¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

If an AI experiment goes sideways, they are more likely to get a pass—or at least the benefit of the doubt.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Stars will get the benefit of the doubt: Their AI-enhanced work becomes proof of their superior judgment and strategic thinking.

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After the killing, when Gandbhir’s lens shifts to interrogation footage mixed with scenes of a broken community’s grief-stricken public protesting, we get more proof of who in our society gets the benefit of the doubt.

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“I want to give la presidenta the benefit of the doubt — it’s her first year. But I don’t have much hope.”

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No wonder former right-back Warren Barton remembered "Kenny giving Tino the benefit of the doubt".

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