give somebody to believe/understand...

give (one) to believe

To cause one to believe something. Why should I worry? The boss has never given me to believe that she's displeased with my work.See also: believe, give

give somebody to beˈlieve/underˈstand (that)...

(formal) (often used in the passive) make somebody believe/understand something: I was given to understand that she had resigned.See also: believe, give, somebody