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

But “the courts have generally thought that they should give the benefit of the doubt to someone who might be criminally prosecuted, rather than force someone to testify and then learn: ‘Whoops!’”

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2022

“When I see a situation where public health rules are being broken, I first try to give the benefit of the doubt to the other person,” Martinello says.

From Washington Post • Sep. 22, 2021

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