benefit of the doubt

plural benefits of the doubt · alternative BOTD · alternative benefit of doubt

1. countableuncountableA favorable judgement given in the absence of full evidence.

   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.

   2025 May 17, David Hytner, “Crystal Palace stun Manchester City to win FA Cup amid drama and Henderson controversy”, in The Guardian

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   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.

   2019 May 19, Alex McLevy, “The final Game Of Thrones brings a pensive but simple meditation about stories (newbies)”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 22 May 2019

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

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   “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.

   2020 April 12, Simon Tisdall, “US's global reputation hits rock-bottom over Trump's coronavirus response”, in The Guardian

3. countableuncountableball gamesThe 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.