Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
give someone the benefit of the doubt
English answer:
believe someone's statement
Added to glossary by
Ana Juliá
Sep 14, 2004 13:30
19 yrs ago
7 viewers *
English term
to give one benefit of doubt
English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Can anyone please explain what it really means?
Thank you
RafaLee
Thank you
RafaLee
Responses
Responses
+6
3 mins
Selected
believe someone's statement
English Idiom #33
GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT
Explanation of English Idiom #33
BELIEVE SOMEONE'S STATEMENT, WITHOUT PROOF.
Example of English Idiom #33
"THE TEACHER'S EXPLANATION DID NOT SEEM LOGICAL, BUT I GAVE HER THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT."
http://www.vec.ca/english/11/idioms.cfm
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Note added at 6 mins (2004-09-14 13:36:32 GMT)
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give sb 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.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=benefit*1 0&d...
GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT
Explanation of English Idiom #33
BELIEVE SOMEONE'S STATEMENT, WITHOUT PROOF.
Example of English Idiom #33
"THE TEACHER'S EXPLANATION DID NOT SEEM LOGICAL, BUT I GAVE HER THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT."
http://www.vec.ca/english/11/idioms.cfm
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Note added at 6 mins (2004-09-14 13:36:32 GMT)
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give sb 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.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=benefit*1 0&d...
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
: No indication to the contrary, so looking on the positive side. "The benefit of THE doubt"
10 mins
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thank you, Nikki!
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agree |
Ingrid Petit
10 mins
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Thanks!
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agree |
conejo
58 mins
|
Thank you! :-)
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agree |
RHELLER
: yes, we need those articles!
2 hrs
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thank you, Rita!
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agree |
Mapi
4 hrs
|
Gracias, Mapi
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agree |
Jörgen Slet
1 day 8 hrs
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Thanks!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Graded automatically based on peer agreement."
+1
3 mins
if there are several ways to treat an issue or a person, it is to choose the most trusting way
For example, I think you took my pen when I was out of the room. I can accuse you of stealing it. Or, I can decide that you did not do it - I can decide to trust you. So then I would give you the best treatment in terms of trust.
+1
3 mins
the benefit of the doubt - see explanation
It means that you trust in what someone tells you, or believe them to be innocent, even if you have no way of proving their innocence/the truth of what they say.
+4
5 mins
to believe the best of someone when not all the facts are known
In case of doubt = when the facts are not known, or not certain.
To give a person the benefit = to believe the best of that person, to
It is something like being considered innocent until being proven guilty.
To give a person the benefit = to believe the best of that person, to
It is something like being considered innocent until being proven guilty.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
humbird
: Yes, especially the last part. "Innocent until proven guilty" is the foundation of American judicial system (at least in principle).
3 hrs
|
agree |
Mapi
4 hrs
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agree |
Mónica Belén Colacilli
1 day 42 mins
|
agree |
Jörgen Slet
1 day 8 hrs
|
+1
19 mins
assume the best
Just throwing this in as a suggestion. If you are giving someone the benefit of the doubt, you do not question their motives, you take what they say or do at face value and assume that there is no ulterior motive or reason for it.
+2
8 mins
Do not judge someone to be guilty if there is doubt
If some one is accused and if there is a doubt that the accused could be innocent give the accused "the benefit of doubt" and do not judge this person as being guilty.
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Note added at 36 mins (2004-09-14 14:07:20 GMT)
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As an axiom, it is \'Benefit of Doubt\'
This expression is not used only in a court of law. It is used in life in general and especially in sports!
Example - Soccer:
Your opponent has the ball. You take possession and your opponent falls down and acts as is he is seriously hurt! The referee is not sure; so he gives you the \"Benefit of Doubt\" and does not award a ‘penalty strike’
Hope this helps!
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Note added at 36 mins (2004-09-14 14:07:20 GMT)
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As an axiom, it is \'Benefit of Doubt\'
This expression is not used only in a court of law. It is used in life in general and especially in sports!
Example - Soccer:
Your opponent has the ball. You take possession and your opponent falls down and acts as is he is seriously hurt! The referee is not sure; so he gives you the \"Benefit of Doubt\" and does not award a ‘penalty strike’
Hope this helps!
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Mónica Belén Colacilli
1 day 41 mins
|
Thanks
|
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agree |
Jörgen Slet
1 day 9 hrs
|
Thanks
|
+1
15 hrs
accept as being true/correct
to give someone the benefit of doubt means to accept their statement as being true without yourself having the facts to determine whether they are or not.
1 day 13 hrs
Accepting a person is innocent, being honest or correct, etc. although doubt exists
Accepting a person is innocent, being honest or correct, etc. although doubt exists.
Suppose, you broke my expensive heavy glass vase, and you said that you stumbled and fell on it. Probably, you had tried to lift it up and it fell on the hard floor. In my heart I felt that is what happened; but still I decided to believe in what you said, for there is no proof to prove it otherwise. And it is usually done to keep peace.
Suppose, you broke my expensive heavy glass vase, and you said that you stumbled and fell on it. Probably, you had tried to lift it up and it fell on the hard floor. In my heart I felt that is what happened; but still I decided to believe in what you said, for there is no proof to prove it otherwise. And it is usually done to keep peace.
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