- [uncountable, countable] a belief that something will happen because it is likely
- expectation of something We are confident in our expectation of a full recovery.
- We certainly had a reasonable expectation of success.
- expectation about something the government's expectations about the economy
- expectation that… There was a general expectation that he would win.
- She had a legitimate expectation that her application would succeed.
- The expectation is that property prices will rise.
- in expectation of something Buyers are holding back in expectation of further price cuts.
- in expectation I applied for the post more in hope than expectation.
- Contrary to expectations, interest rates did not rise.
- Against all expectations, she was enjoying herself.
Extra Examples- Profits are broadly in line with expectations.
- Sales came in above expectations this week.
- She has defied all expectations with her career.
- The article was written before the election result in the clear expectation of a Labour victory.
- The course has produced results way beyond expectation.
- The plaintiff is aged 30 and has a normal expectation of life.
- The rise in share price confounded expectations.
- The various categories of operating expenditure are broadly in line with expectations.
- There is no longer a general expectation that married couples will have children.
- They bought real estate in the expectation of a rise in prices.
- Users have changed their expectations of library services.
- differences in the expectations held by different social groups
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- great
- high
- …
- have
- hold
- establish
- …
- grow
- rise
- change
- …
- above expectation
- against expectation
- contrary to expectation
- …
- have every expectation
- in line with expectations
- [countable, usually plural, uncountable] a hope that something good will happen
- She went to college with great expectations.
- to have high/low expectations
- I don't want to raise your expectations too much.
- The results exceeded our expectations.
- The numbers attending fell short of expectations.
- The event did not live up to expectations.
- There was an air of expectation and great curiosity.
- expectations for somebody/something He has high expectations for the team.
- The White House said that they did not have any grand expectations for today's meeting.
Extra Examples- He had been successful beyond his expectations.
- They've found success far beyond their initial expectations.
- This realization of our dreams surpassed even our wildest expectations.
- the tensions and expectations surrounding the show
- Heightened expectations for educational progress had not been realized.
- Her approach sought to lower people's expectations.
- We have high expectations for her future.
- Many children start with low expectations.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- great
- high
- …
- have
- hold
- establish
- …
- grow
- rise
- change
- …
- above expectation
- against expectation
- contrary to expectation
- …
- have every expectation
- in line with expectations
- [countable, usually plural] a strong belief about the way something should happen or how somebody should behave
- Unfortunately the new software has failed to meet expectations.
- expectations of somebody Some parents have unrealistic expectations of their children.
Extra Examples- Her new car has not lived up to her expectations.
- I have modest expectations about what my research can accomplish.
- What should you do when an employee's performance is below expectation?
- trying to influence public expectations of the police
- It doesn't conform to people's normal expectations of what a zoo is.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- great
- high
- …
- have
- hold
- establish
- …
- grow
- rise
- change
- …
- above expectation
- against expectation
- contrary to expectation
- …
- have every expectation
- in line with expectations
Word Originmid 16th cent.: from Latin expectatio(n-), from the verb expectare (see expect).
Check pronunciation:
expectation