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

(one) could be forgiven for (doing something)

It is completely understandable that one would do, think, or believe something, even if it is incorrect. Anyone visiting this country could be forgiven for thinking that they've somehow gone backwards in time. You could be forgiven for wondering how a multinational company has failed to pay its taxes for the last five years. A: "Wait, Ron and Elise are dating? I thought he was her grandfather!" B: "Well, you could be forgiven for that—Ron is 30 years older than her and has had white hair as long as I've known him."

See also: could, for, forgive

(one) will be forgiven for (doing something)

It is completely understandable that one would do, think, or believe something, even if it is incorrect. Anyone visiting this 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 for the last five years. A: "Wait, Ron and Elise are dating? I thought he was her grandfather!" B: "Well, you'll be forgiven for that—Ron is 30 years older than her and has had white hair as long as I've known him."

See also: for, forgive, will

(one) would be forgiven for (doing something)

It is completely understandable that one would do, think, or believe something, even if it is incorrect. Anyone visiting this country would be forgiven for thinking that they've somehow gone backwards in time. You would be forgiven for wondering how a multinational company has failed to pay its taxes for the last five years. A: "Wait, Ron and Elise are dating? I thought he was her grandfather!" B: "Well, you would be forgiven for that—Ron is 30 years older than her and has had white hair as long as I've known him."

See also: for, forgive

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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, for, forgive, might, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017