benefit of the doubt, to give/have the To assume or treat as innocent when there is conflicting evidence. The term comes from the law in many countries, whereby a person must be assumed to be innocent of a crime unless definitely proved to be guilty; in other words, when in doubt, the verdict must be “not guilty.”
Why benefit of the doubt is so important?
- “is due to” (100% sure)
- “more likely than not” (greater than 50%)
- “at least as likely as not” (equal to or greater than 50%)
- “not at least as likely as not” (less than 50%)
- “is not due to” (0%)
Why should we give people the benefit of the doubt?
- It can be insecurities within themselves that raise doubt in others. ...
- It can be that the person that is being doubted has a negative history on the doubtful matter (e.g, they constantly lie so the 1 time they tell the truth, ...
- Sometimes the doubter is used to being disappointed and doubts anyone who is yet to prove that they won’t disappoint.
When should you give someone 'the benefit of the doubt'?
benefit of the doubt, to give/have the To assume or treat as innocent when there is conflicting evidence. The term comes from the law in many countries, whereby a person must be assumed to be innocent of a crime unless definitely proved to be guilty; in other words, when in doubt, the verdict must be “not guilty.”
Do you give people "the benefit of the doubt"?
Giving people the benefit of the doubt is not a terrible thing to do. In fact it's incredibly admirable. But, only do this when your gut instinct feels ok. Only do this if you feel safe. Only do this when you know for a fact that you feel comfortable with this person.
the benefit of the doubt
The withholding of judgment so as to retain a favorable or at least neutral opinion of someone or something when the full information about the subject is not yet available. You're my sister! Can't you give me the benefit of the doubt, instead of believing the worst about me? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt before we start accusing him.
benefit of the doubt
a judgment in one's favor when the evidence is neither for one nor against one. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I was right between a B and an A. I got the benefit of the doubt — an A. I thought I should have had the benefit of the doubt, but the judge made me pay a fine.
Definition of benefit of the doubt
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What does "benefit of the doubt" mean?
According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary as well as other dictionary apps, the phrase the benefit of the doubt means that someone is choosing to believe someone or accept something as honest or deserving of trust even though there may be doubts or evidence to the contrary.
What does it mean when someone gives you the benefit of the doubt?
If someone is giving someone else the benefit of the doubt, this means that they are believing them. There are many different ways that someone can say that they believe someone, even if there is evidence pointing to the contrary. For this, someone can use a synonym. A synonym is a word or phrase that means the same thing as another word or phrase.
Why do people give you the benefit of the doubt?
Someone might choose to give you the benefit of the doubt if you have proven to be a trustworthy person in the past, even though there may be some evidence to the contrary. This phrase is often used in a court of law to state that the person on trial has the right to be presumed innocent until the court of law proves them guilty.
What does "give someone the benefit of the doubt" mean?
There are many different circumstances in which someone might give someone else the benefit of the doubt. This phrase can be used in a court of law, but it can also be used in everyday language to discuss people who are trustworthy in suspicious circumstances.
Where did the phrase "benefit of the doubt" come from?
According to Phrases and The Idioms, the phrase benefit of the doubt likely originated in law and is related to the phrase reasonable doubt, which means that it is presumed the person being tried is assumed innocent until proven guilty. This phrase may have been used first during the Irish treason trials of 1798.
When was the benefit of the doubt first used?
The current wording of the phrase benefit of the doubt was recorded in the late 1800s.
What does it mean to give someone the benefit of the doubt?
If you give someone the benefit of the doubt, you decide to believe that what they are saying is honest, even though it is possible that they are not telling the truth.
How to give someone their due?
give someone his or her due. give someone his or her head. give someone his/her head, to. give someone or something a run for their money. give someone or something a wide berth. give someone or something best. give someone skin. give someone the air. give someone the ax.
Meaning
1. The phrase the benefit of the doubt means to believe someone even though you may feel skeptical about what they are saying.
Example Sentences
As I was looking at a used exercise bike, the seller kept emphasizing how the bike was in mint condition. While I was skeptical about buying it, I gave him the benefit of the doubt as everything looked to be in order.
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The ASL fingerspelling provided here is most commonly used for proper names of people and places; it is also used in some languages for concepts for which no sign is available at that moment.
Definitions & Translations
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