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3. give the benefit of the doubt

give the benefit of the doubt

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give somebody/something the benefit of the doubt

to decide you will believe someone or something People tell me I shouldn't trust him, but I'm willing to give Simon the benefit of the doubt and wait and see what he actually offers. The American people are usually willing to give the government the benefit of the doubt.

See also: benefit, doubt, give, of

give somebody the benefit of the doubt

to believe something good about someone, rather than something bad, when you have the possibility of doing either After hearing his explanation, I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.

See also: benefit, doubt, give, of

give the benefit of the doubt

Regard someone as innocent until proven otherwise; lean toward a favorable view of someone. For example, Let's give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that she's right. [Mid-1800s]

See also: benefit, doubt, give, of