give the benefit of the doubt

Idioms  

1. Regard someone as innocent until proven otherwise; lean toward a favorable view of someone. For example, Let's give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that she's right. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

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

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

Given the choice to believe a stranger or not, humans tend overwhelmingly to believe, to trust, to give the benefit of the doubt.

From Washington Post • Sep. 6, 2019

But at that moment, I really did want to give the benefit of the doubt to everyone.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2019

He tried, as always, to give the benefit of the doubt to whoever had done it.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers