Above Suspicion
What is above suspicion?
Key facts
| Phrase | above suspicion[1] |
|---|---|
| Meaning | so trustworthy as never to be suspected of wrongdoing[1] |
| Meaning | considered to be innocent for certain[2] |
| Meaning | in such a position that no guilt may be thought or implied[3] |
| Example | The wife of Caesar must be above suspicion[1] |
| Title usage | used as the title of a 1943 World War II spy film starring Joan Crawford[1] |
Above suspicion is an idiom meaning a person or thing is regarded as so trustworthy or innocent that no wrongdoing is suspected.
Context
The idiom 'above suspicion' describes someone or something so trustworthy that no one suspects them of wrongdoing [1]. It is often used in legal or moral contexts to indicate unquestionable innocence [2]. The phrase became more widely known after the 1943 World War II spy film *Above Suspicion* starring Joan Crawford [1]. It is sometimes confused with 'above the law', which means behaving as though exempt from rules [1].
Documented claims
Questions and answers
What does 'above suspicion' mean?
It means being so trustworthy or innocent that no wrongdoing is suspected [1].
Is 'above suspicion' an idiom?
Yes, it is an idiom used to describe a person or thing whose trustworthiness prevents suspicion [1].
What is the origin of the phrase 'above suspicion'?
The phrase gained currency from a 1943 film title, but it has been used as an idiom meaning unquestionable innocence [1].
Sources
- ABOVE SUSPICION Definition & Meaning — dictionary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- ABOVE SUSPICION definition in American English — collinsdictionary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- above suspicion meaning, definition, examples, origin, synonyms — wordscoach.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)