What Does Giving Someone the "Benefit of the Doubt" Mean?

• The phrase "benefit of the doubt" means to believe something good about someone rather than something bad, even if you aren’t sure of the truth.
• By giving someone the benefit of the doubt, you're choosing to trust them instead of assuming the worst.
• Giving people the benefit of the doubt can help you stay positive and avoid jumping to negative conclusions.

What does benefit of the doubt mean?

Giving someone the benefit of the doubt means believing something good about them instead of something bad, even if you’re not sure. By giving them the benefit of the doubt, you're choosing to trust them instead of assuming the worst. For example, if your friend is late meeting you for lunch, you might give them the benefit of the doubt by assuming something important came up rather than assuming they just don't respect your time. Even though you're not 100% sure, you're choosing to see the good in them.

How to Use the Phrase "Benefit of the Doubt"

Use “benefit of the doubt” to signal trust in someone or something. Here are some examples of the phrase in action: ”I wasn’t able to get there on time, so I’ll give Sarah the benefit of the doubt that she got to class on time.” ”I think we can count on Henry. He’s not normally late, so let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and see if he’s going through a rough patch.” ”That bakery messed up my order last time, but it could have been an honest mistake, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.” ”The customer said their items were never delivered, even though the tracking number says it was delivered. Still, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.”

When to Give Benefit of the Doubt

Give the benefit of the doubt when you’re unsure of the truth but trust someone. When things don’t go according to plan with someone you trust—plans get canceled, or a phone call is missed, for example—give them the benefit of the doubt instead of jumping to negative conclusions. This can help keep your relationships more positive and supportive. However, if someone is continuously canceling plans, not returning your calls, showing up late, etc., it's okay to feel frustrated and upset. At that point, it's reasonable if you're not willing to give them the benefit of the doubt anymore.

Importance of Giving Benefit of the Doubt

Giving the benefit of the doubt may build happier relationships. In a study by the Journal of Happiness Studies, researchers discovered that people who gave others the benefit of the doubt cultivated more positive and trusting relationships than individuals who blamed others for their actions (or lack thereof). Similarly, giving the benefit of the doubt is a practice that can help improve your mental well-being by choosing to look for the good in the world instead of the bad or worst-case scenarios.

Trust may help you understand the actions and behaviors of others. By giving someone the benefit of the doubt, you’re giving them the chance to explain their version of events. Before jumping to conclusions, try to see the bigger picture. Ask yourself what may be going on in the person’s life that prevented them from following through on their commitment to you.