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. An innocent-looking young girl like you could get the money and still be totally above suspicion with the cops. No, don't dismiss the husband yet—in murder cases like this, the husband is never 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.
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 a cloud
To be viewed with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval. 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 until we interrogate him.
See also: cloud
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.
See also: suspicion
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.
on suspicion of (something)
Based on or motivated by the belief that one has committed a crime or other misdeed. Because we witnessed erratic driving, we pulled the man over on suspicion of driving under the influence. Sure enough, he failed the Breathalyzer test. He's here on suspicion of theft—he matches the description of one of the perpetrators from that burglary.
reasonable suspicion
law A standard of proof that allows police to perform a search. As such, the suspicion must be objectively justifiable and supported by specific facts. You can't just pull someone over based on a hunch—you need to have reasonable suspicion that they've committed a crime.
See also: reasonable, suspicion
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
Viewed with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval. 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 remains under a cloud of suspicion until we have interrogated him.
See also: cloud
under suspicion
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.
See also: suspicion
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*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.
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."
under a cloud (of suspicion)
Fig. suspected of something. Someone stole some money at work, and now everyone is under a cloud of suspicion. Even the manager is under a cloud.
See also: cloud
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.
under a cloud
Under suspicion, in trouble, or out of favor, as in Ever since his brother was accused of fraud, he's been under a cloud. This metaphoric expression calls up the image of a single black cloud hanging over an individual. [c. 1500]
See also: cloud
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.
under a cloud
COMMON If someone is under a cloud, they are generally not trusted or are disapproved of, because of something that they have done. The president of the bank resigned under a cloud several weeks ago. He departed as England coach under a cloud over his business dealings. With its leader under a cloud, these are difficult times for the party.
See also: cloud
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
under a cloud
under suspicion or discredited. 1992 Alasdair Gray Poor Things The career of this once famous soldier began as well as ended under a cloud.
See also: cloud
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
under a ˈcloud
suspected of having done something wrong; in disgrace: He’d been stealing, so he was asked to resign, and he left under a cloud.See also: cloud
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.See also: suspicion
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
under a cloud
Under suspicion or in a state of disgrace.
See also: cloud
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.