(To give the) benefit of the doubt

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.

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