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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
benefit of the doubt
A favorable judgment granted in the absence of full evidence.
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.