suspicion

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Related to suspicioned: Suspection

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above suspicion

Not suspected of any wrongdoing or crime. Because everyone thought he was such a good citizen, he remained above suspicion after the robbery.

See also: above, suspicion

be above suspicion

To not be suspected of any wrongdoing or crime, as due to one's reputation, status, etc. Because everyone thought he was such a good citizen, he was above suspicion after the robbery.

See also: above, suspicion

be beyond suspicion

To not be suspected of any wrongdoing or crime, as due to one's reputation, status, etc. Because everyone thought he was such a good citizen, he was beyond suspicion after the robbery.

be under suspicion

To be suspected of some wrongdoing. Ever since that leak of private emails, everything the CEO has done has been under suspicion. As far as I'm concerned, the victim's husband is under suspicion until we interrogate him.

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion

proverb If one is involved with a famous or prominent figure, one must avoid attracting negative attention or scrutiny. Julius Caesar allegedly used the phrase to explain why he divorced his wife, Pompeia. After my son's scandal derailed my presidential bid, I understood why Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.

cloud of suspicion

A general sentiment of suspicion of wrongdoing or illegality. There's a cloud of suspicion in work after it came to light that someone has been stealing from the cash registers.

have a sneaking suspicion

To have a slight but persistent premonition or intuition (about something). Jimmy said he'd never be back, but I have a sneaking suspicion we'll see him again sooner or later.

the finger of suspicion

The strongest suspicion of having done something wrong. Most often followed by "points at (someone or something)." The school is currently investigating the stolen equipment, and it seems like the finger of suspicion is currently pointed at the former science teacher. We must be careful not to place the finger of suspicion on anyone at this stage, as we don't have any facts or evidence yet.

under a cloud (of suspicion)

Viewed with distrust and/or thought to be dishonorable. Ever since that leak of private emails, everything the CEO has done has been under a cloud. As far as I'm concerned, the victim's husband is under a cloud of suspicion until we interrogate him.

*above suspicion

[for one] to be honest enough that no one would suspect one; in a position where one could not be suspected. (This is a translation of words attributed to Julius Caesar, who divorced his wife, Pompeia, on the grounds of her possible involvement in a public scandal; Caesar stated, "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.") (*Typically: be ~; keep oneself ~; remain ~.) The general is a fine old man, completely above suspicion.

See also: above, suspicion

Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.

Prov. The associates of public figures must not even be suspected of wrongdoing. (The ancient Roman Julius Caesar is supposed to have said this when asked why he divorced his wife, Pompeia. Because she was suspected of some wrongdoing, he could not associate with her anymore.) Jill: I don't think the mayor is trustworthy; his brother was charged with embezzlement. Jane: But the charges were never proved. Jill: That doesn't matter. Caesar's wife must be above suspicion. When the newspapers reported the rumor that the lieutenant governor had failed to pay his taxes, the governor forced him to resign, saying, "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."

above suspicion

So trustworthy as never to be suspected of wrongdoing, as in "The wife of Caesar must be above suspicion" (Charles Merivale, A History of the Romans under the Empire, 1850). The phrase was given further currency when it was used for the title of a very popular World War II spy film starring Joan Crawford ( Above Suspicion, 1943). A similar idiom using above in the sense of "beyond" is above the law, usually describing an individual or business behaving as though exempt from rules or laws that apply to others.

See also: above, suspicion

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the ˌfinger of suˈspicion

if the finger of suspicion points or is pointed at somebody, they are suspected of having committed a crime, being responsible for something, etc: The woman’s still missing, and the finger of suspicion is now being pointed at her husband.

be aˌbove/beˌyond suˈspicion

be so good or honest that nobody thinks you would do something bad: He is absolutely beyond suspicion.

be under suˈspicion (of something)

be the person that the police think has committed a crime (although they cannot prove it yet): He was still under suspicion and he knew the police were watching him.