when in doubt
5
4.5
- idiom
- Informal
:
cuando tengas dudas
- The first rule of police work is 'when in doubt, review the crime scene.'
- When in doubt, ask
- When in doubt, call
- When in doubt, always
We have a slight bias for action That that when in doubt, act.
- We have a slight bias for action That that when in doubt, act.
- It's like, when in doubt, go for it.
- It's when in doubt, assume the best.
- So that the key here is when in doubt, spell it out.
- I will say when in doubt, approach this subject area with a high degree of skepticism and an even higher degree of caution.
- So when in doubt, we take it home and in doubt, take it out.
- So, you know, apply, you know, when in doubt, apply.
- So I say, when in doubt, practice hospitality, but then give that.
Examples
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When in doubt, choose the path that keeps the most doors open.
Blog text (9) -
I will say when in doubt, approach this subject area with a high degree of skepticism and an even higher degree of caution.
-
So all I can say is, when in doubt, use a level.
-
When in doubt, keep my mouth shut but my eyes wide open.
Blog text (18) -
When in doubt about capacity, involve a doctor.
Academic text (1998) -
When in doubt, get a team of other individuals to help evaluate decisions.
Academic text (2011) -
When in doubt, consult what the Founding Fathers wrote about gun ownership.
Blog text (18) -
We follow the adage "when in doubt, disclose."
Blog text (21) -
When in doubt, start slow/soft/delicate and build up to as fast/hard as she wants it.
Blog text (30) -
So all I can say is, when in doubt, use a level.
How Certain
- Informal
1
6.8
- Informal
5
4.5
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'when' (conditional/temporal) + 'in' (indicating a state) + 'doubt' (uncertainty) yields 'if you are uncertain', which matches the given definition. This is a common, predictable construction in English (and parallels exist in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily understand it.
Etymology
The phrase when in doubt creates a simple picture: you stand at a choice, not sure which way to go, so being in doubt means feeling unsure. It means 'if you are not sure', choose the safe option or follow the advice, so people use it to suggest a careful action.