To give someone the benefit of the doubt is to default to the belief that their intentions are honest, and not assume malice when there is uncertainty or doubt surrounding the circumstances.
John didn't pay me back the $20 he owes me, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he simply forgot and isn't trying to rip me off.
by Thremtopod January 28, 2016
When giving someone the benefit of the doubt, you are believing what they say and taking their word because you, yourself, have some doubt about what happened.
Guy: nothing happened, i swear!
Girl: well i'll give you the benefit of the doubt since i have no idea what happened.
Girl: well i'll give you the benefit of the doubt since i have no idea what happened.
by c.katie29 January 31, 2010
Kevin gave the girl at the bar tonight the benefit of the doubt.
Kevin gave the pedestrians on his way home the benefit of the doubt. Some of them made it, some of them didn't.
Kevin gave the pedestrians on his way home the benefit of the doubt. Some of them made it, some of them didn't.
by mszombiedater January 17, 2010
"the state of accepting something/someone as honest or deserving of trust even though there are doubts.
He might be lying, but we have to give him the benefit of the doubt and accept what he says for now."
To decide that you will believe someone, even though you are not sure that what the person is saying is true.
He might be lying, but we have to give him the benefit of the doubt and accept what he says for now."
To decide that you will believe someone, even though you are not sure that what the person is saying is true.
-Did you cheat on your girlfriend?
-No, why would I do that?
-I feel like you're lying, but I give you the benefit of the doubt.
-No, why would I do that?
-I feel like you're lying, but I give you the benefit of the doubt.
by Chupaxx April 23, 2021
When you buy something on the gray market whose expense implies that it was stolen or illicitly acquired, but decide to not make that assumption
I just bought a $500 restaurant gift card to a fancy steakhouse for $20 in Bitcoin I made from Genesis Mining using promo code 032WbQ. The guy I bought it from was super creepy, and from Nigeria despite the fact that 100% of the steakhouses I can use the gift card at are in America. Oh well, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt!
by bitcoin potato August 24, 2017
to allow another to disadvantage oneself to varying degrees; causing or contributing to unwellness for an undetermined amount of time, and/or death
(To give the) benefit of the doubt ...
She gave him the benefit of the doubt and wound up thousands of dollars in debt as a result.
He asked for the benefit of the doubt and continued to be dishonest, causing further distress, inconvenience and loss.
She was advised to take into account past and current behaviors as an indication of future behaviors and outcomes - to take into account her doubts based on experience and/or a gut feeling - as opposed to giving the benefit of the doubt, perhaps blindly, based on nothing at all besides at the request of another, likely a person that stands to benefit should she ignore said doubt.
She gave him the benefit of the doubt and wound up thousands of dollars in debt as a result.
He asked for the benefit of the doubt and continued to be dishonest, causing further distress, inconvenience and loss.
She was advised to take into account past and current behaviors as an indication of future behaviors and outcomes - to take into account her doubts based on experience and/or a gut feeling - as opposed to giving the benefit of the doubt, perhaps blindly, based on nothing at all besides at the request of another, likely a person that stands to benefit should she ignore said doubt.
by firsttimingit August 1, 2018
