give the benefit of the doubt
IdiomsExample Sentences
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The statement added that it recognises there will be an "absence of evidence given the length of time which has passed" and therefore will give the benefit of the doubt to postmasters.
From BBC • May 26, 2025
“Things are pretty bad right now and I know it, but I think we should give the benefit of the doubt and keep JLo,” said Arminda Kisanga, 28, using the president’s nickname.
From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2022
Laviolette said, “There’s no real plan” with his goaltenders but sounded content to give the benefit of the doubt to Vanecek, who started 15 of 16 games while Samsonov battled COVID-19.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2021
“And maybe if there’s serious doubt, we should give the benefit of the doubt to the person.”
From Washington Post • Jan. 23, 2021
He tried, as always, to give the benefit of the doubt to whoever had done it.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
