the benefit of the doubt

Also found in: Acronyms.

the benefit of the doubt

The withholding of judgment so as to retain a favorable or at least neutral opinion of someone or something when the full information about the subject is not yet available. You're my sister! Can't you give me the benefit of the doubt, instead of believing the worst about me? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt before we start accusing him. There may be a good explanation.

See also: benefit, doubt, of

benefit of the doubt

a judgment in one's favor when the evidence is neither for one nor against one. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I was right between a B and an A. I got the benefit of the doubt—an A. I thought I should have had the benefit of the doubt, but the judge made me pay a fine.

See also: benefit, doubt, of

the benefit of the doubt

a concession that someone or something must be regarded as correct or justified, if the contrary has not been proved.

See also: benefit, doubt, of

benefit of the doubt

A favorable judgment granted in the absence of full evidence.

See also: benefit, doubt, of

References in periodicals archive ?

Pietersen spoke with the air of a batsman who had enjoyed the benefit of the doubt for his entire career until the DRS came along.

I NEED A SPIN DOCTOR; 3RD ODI ENGLAND v PAKISTAN TODAY 11AM

And there was me willing to give this dumb blonde the benefit of the doubt.

THEY'RE not quite up there with the

She added that children whose ages are under dispute should be given the benefit of the doubt.

100 asylum seeking children are living alone in Wales

Jenni, who plays Jessica Harris in the Channel 4 soap has given Rob the benefit of the doubt over his past.

Ender Rob dates Jen

Give your boyfriend the benefit of the doubt, but keep an eye on his actions--which speak louder than words.

Hey, hold off

Vets are often forced into getting a lawyer when the VA refuses to give them the benefit of the doubt regarding issues like date of injury/claim reported to the VA.

Lawyers not needed for vet claims

To give him the benefit of the doubt, it may be that Mr Bradbourne has not entirely understood what a city region would do or the important strategic role it would play.

Head to head

Now, prudent D&O underwriters may no longer be in a position to give companies the benefit of the doubt.

A different outlook: D&O underwriters are putting companies under more scrutiny than in the past

He could have given Robbie the benefit of the doubt, but he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt very often.

Hughes: Savage was dealt harsh blow

Please parents, give the teacher the benefit of the doubt.

A teacher's request

As Anand told the New York Times after the JAMA controversy broke: "By the second trimester, all bets are off and I would argue that in the absence of absolute proof we should give the fetus the benefit of the doubt if we are going to call ourselves compassionate and humane physicians.

Discounting fetal pain

In that situation the benefit of the doubt should surely be given to the victim of the interference.

Giving benefit of doubt t o the guilt y par ty is not just ice

So, allowing them the benefit of the doubt, I blame them for not stealing the election first.

The five stages of grief

But the company's excellent track record means investors should give it the benefit of the doubt.