benefit of the doubt

benefit of the doubtnoun

• 1

  A favorable judgement given in the absence of full evidence.

  • Plenty of past seasons’ events could look ill-conceived in the critical eye of Monday-morning quarterbacking, but previously, the show had earned the benefit of the doubt that missteps on the part of supposedly intelligent characters were a plausible lack of in-world foresight.
  • The former Manchester United player had handled outside his area to thwart Erling Haaland and if there was considerable doubt over his continued involvement, he was given the benefit of it.
• 2

  A trust that something will turn out or happen as hoped for or expected despite concerns.

  • “We consider this to be an act of modern piracy. This is no way to treat transatlantic partners. Even in times of global crisis, we shouldn’t resort to the tactics of the wild west,” said Andreas Geisel, a leading Berlin politician. Significantly, Merkel has refused to give Trump the benefit of the doubt.
• 3

  ball-gamescricketgamesThe principle employed by umpires in cases of uncertainty concerning a batsman possibly being out, in which the decision must be in the batsman's favour.