(one) will be forgiven for (doing something)

(one) will be forgiven for (doing something)

It is completely understandable why one would do, think, or believe something, even if it is incorrect. Anyone visiting this ultra-conservative country will be forgiven for thinking that they've somehow gone backwards in time. You'll be forgiven for wondering how a multinational company has failed to pay its taxes in over five years.

See also: forgive, will

he, she, etc. could/might be forgiven for doing something

used to say that it is easy to understand why somebody does or thinks something, although they are wrong: Looking at the crowds out shopping, you could be forgiven for thinking that everyone has plenty of money to spend.

See also: could, forgive, might, something