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give the benefit of the doubt

to trust someone despite doubts

In Idioms & Sayings

In more detail

(idiom) to believe that someone is telling the truth or has good intentions, even though you are not completely sure; to assume the best about someone rather than the worst

Examples

• I know he's late often, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt this time and assume there was traffic.

Nearby in Idioms & Sayings

draw the line, face the music, get out of hand, hang in there, in the same boat, jump on the bandwagon