expectation

Collocations

43

1

(noun.)

ADJ

great, high

low

The job market is tough, so graduates often have low expectations about finding work quickly.

growing, rising

heightened, increased

When she got the job offer, her increased expectations about salary made the actual paycheck disappointing.

lowered | optimistic, positive | negative, pessimistic

normal

My parents had normal expectations for my school grades, nothing too demanding.

clear, confident

legitimate

She has a legitimate expectation that her employer will pay her wages on time.

reasonable | false, naive, over-high, over-optimistic, unrealistic, unreasonable

disappointed

When the movie finally came out, many fans had disappointed expectations about the main character's storyline.

wild

She had wild expectations about her first day at university, but reality turned out quite different.

future

general, widespread

There is a widespread expectation among parents that their children will attend university.

VERB + EXPECTATION

have, hold

Many parents hold high expectations for their children's education.

form

Children often form expectations about what will happen based on their parents' behavior.

arouse, build up, create, raise, set up

The new coach's winning record quickly built up expectations among the fans.

heighten

lower, reduce

The coach decided to reduce expectations for the team after several injuries to key players.

influence, shape

Her parents' attitudes shaped her expectations about what she could achieve in life.

come/live up to, fulfil, match, meet, realize, satisfy

The team's performance in the final match failed to meet expectations.

exceed, go beyond, surpass

fall short of

The new restaurant didn't fall short of expectations, but it wasn't as special as everyone hoped.

confound

The young team's poor performance confounded everyone's expectations for the season.

EXPECTATION + VERB

rise, soar

After the company announced the new product launch, customer expectations rose dramatically.

PREP

against ~

Against expectations, the old car started on the first try this morning.

contrary to ~

The movie turned out to be surprisingly good, contrary to expectations.

below ~

The restaurant's food quality fell below expectation, so we didn't return.

beyond ~

The restaurant's food quality was beyond expectation, impressing even the most demanding customers.

in the ~ of/that

We saved money in the expectation that house prices would continue to rise.

~ about

Many parents have high expectations about their children's school performance.

~ for

The coach has great expectations for the new players on the team.

~ of

Most parents have an expectation of good behavior from their children at school.

PHRASES

have every expectation

We have every expectation that the new restaurant will open by next month.

in line with expectations

The team's performance this season has been largely in line with expectations.

Definitions

noun

1

The act or state of expecting or looking forward to an event as about to happen.

“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron;[…]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache.

2

That which is expected or looked for.

And so it had always pleased M. Stutz to expect great things from the dark young man whom he had first seen in his early twenties ; and his expectations had waxed rather than waned on hearing the faint bruit of the love of Ivor and Virginia—for Virginia, M. Stutz thought, would bring fineness to a point in a man like Ivor Marlay,[…].

Thus the B.R. diesel fleet today is composed of a rather assorted collection of designs. Some have proved to be remarkably satisfactory in service; others have so far not come up to expectations and I suppose it is doubtful whether any more orders for some types will be forthcoming.

3

That which is expected or looked for.

He struggled with his parents' expectations.

4

The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to occur; prospect of anything good to come, especially of property or rank.

Emma was not sorry to be pressed. She read, and was surprized. The style of the letter was much above her expectation. There were not merely no grammatical errors, but as a composition it would not have disgraced a gentleman; the language, though plain, was strong and unaffected, and the sentiments it conveyed very much to the credit of the writer. It was short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety, even delicacy of feeling. She paused over it, while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion, with a "Well, well," and was at last forced to add, "Is it a good letter? or is it too short?"

Charles Penrhyn, for he was the object of Louisa's preference, had expectations—that term, so vague when those expectations depend upon others.

5

The value of any chance (as the prospect of prize or property) which depends upon some contingent event.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — belief about (or mental picture of) the future

noun — anticipating with confidence of fulfillment

anticipation

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

6

01

“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron;[…]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in

Wiktionary

02

And so it had always pleased M. Stutz to expect great things from the dark young man whom he had first seen in his early twenties ; and his expectations had waxed rather than waned on hearing the fain

Wiktionary

03

Thus the B.R. diesel fleet today is composed of a rather assorted collection of designs. Some have proved to be remarkably satisfactory in service; others have so far not come up to expectations and I

Wiktionary

04

We were filled with joyful expectation.

Tatoeba · #20511

05

We waited with faint expectation.

Tatoeba · #23131

06

It fell short of my expectation.

Tatoeba · #42374

Collocations

(noun.)

Definitions

Thesaurus

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

Usage Notes

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