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

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

Clegg said: "Although there were some concerns about this letter and the form it took, we were prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt."

From BBC

And it’s why contrarians believe that bonds should be given the benefit of the doubt relative to either equities or gold.

From MarketWatch

So from the start of the 2021-22 season all leagues added a tolerance level, or benefit of the doubt, of about 5cm to the old offside technology.

From BBC