Meaning of ‘Benefit of The Doubt’
The idiom ‘benefit of the doubt’ means to believe that someone is innocent, and that the accusations against them are false.
Example: I heard that Paul got physical with someone at work. However, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt because that doesn’t sound like something he would normally do.
Similar Phrases: assume the best, give a free pass, take one’s word for it, putting confidence in someone
Related Idioms:
Want to discover more common phrases that start with B? Check out our Famous Idioms Starting With B page for a list of them.
Origin of ‘Benefit of The Doubt’
This idiom has been around since at least the 1820s as it was used in multiple newspapers during that time. For example, one of them was called The Australian, May 1827 and it reads:
“If the evidences examined against him are to be believed, then he is guilty of the offence; but if on the other hand you do not believe them, then the case is not proved, and you will give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt you entertain of the credibility of the witnesses.”
Another example shows up one year earlier and it is the earliest I could find of this phrase in print. This quote comes from The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser newspaper, April 1826:
“Inasmuch as they came forward disinterested, and that at any rate where it was only equal in point of number, the defendant by the benignant construction of British jurisprudence, was entitled to the benefit of the doubt.”
In summary, this idiom has been around for nearly 200 years.
Example Sentences
Let’s look at a few usage cases for the common idiom ‘benefit of the doubt.’
Examples:
1. He claimed the bike was in mint condition, but I was skeptical. Even so, I gave him the benefit of the doubt because the bike looked perfectly fine.
2. I had given him the advantage of the doubt, but after reviewing the evidence, it’s clear that he was the one who drank the last bit of milk.
Examples That Use Similar Phrases:
1. Even though the situation looked bleak, I decided to assume the best and trust that he had good intentions.
2. She seemed to be well informed, so I took her word for it that she knew what she was doing.
3. I gave John a free pass, because I don’t think he intentionally meant to cause any problems.