shadow of a doubt
Tiniest lingering question
A shadow of a doubt is even the smallest trace of uncertainty.
The phrase appears almost exclusively in negative constructions—beyond a shadow of a doubt, without a shadow of a doubt—to emphasize absolute certainty.
In legal contexts, proof beyond a shadow of a doubt is stronger than the standard "reasonable doubt."
- traceMinute remnant or pursue
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- sneaking suspicionVague persistent doubt
- flickerUnsteady, brief light
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
nagging feeling · reasonable person · burden of proof · jury deliberation · specter · acquittal · not guilty · whisper · skepticism · shade · pause · mistrust · veil · second-guessing · conviction · uncertainty · belief · ambivalence
shadow of a doubtabsolute certainty
State of having no doubt
blind faith · beyond question · moral certainty · certitude · unwavering faith
shadow, shadows, shadowy, shadowed, shadowing, overshadow, overshadows, overshadowed, overshadowing