What do ppl mean when they say benefit of the doubt?

Question

What do ppl mean when they say benefit of the doubt?

Answer 1

If there is "any" doubt in one's answer, just accept it (that is the benefit of the doubt).  

Answer 2

When someone gets 'the benefit of the doubt' then they gain from a lack of knowledge/evidence.

An example would be a thief who is not punished for their crime because there is not enough evidence to charge them (so they go home rather than jail). They would be said has having 'the benefit of the doubt' because they have gained from the doubt in the judges/jury's minds.

Answer 3

A benefit of the doubt is when you concede that something is correct, even when the contrary hasn't been proven yet or evidence hasn't backed it up.

So for example, you're not sure if Joe is telling the truth, but you'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Answer 4

A favorable judgment granted in the absence of full evidence.