Give the benefit of the doubt
Regard someone as innocent until proven otherwise; lean toward a favorable view of someone. For example, Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that she’s right. [ Mid-1800s ]
Read Also:
- Give the creeps
see: the creeps
- Give the go-ahead
see: go ahead , def. 1.
- Give the nod
verb phrase To give approval; confer permission: Detroit has tightened the reins on the boys in the sheet metal design department while giving the nod to the engineers (1940s+)
- Give the time of day
see: not give someone the time of day
- Give the word
Also, say the word. Give an order, tell or show when something is to be done, as in If you want us to move out, just give the word, or When you want the car, just say the word. The first expression, dating from about 1400, originally alluded to uttering a password in response to […]