expectation

Everyday

1. An expectation is a belief that something will happen. tree →
2. Expectations are what people hope or require someone to do or be: «high expectations». tree →
3. (maths) Expectation is the average result you expect over many tries, as in probability. tree →

In the lessons

In school, teachers have expectations for behaviour and work. In stories, things can go «against all expectations». In probability it is what you expect on average. Phrases: «high expectations», «live up to expectations», «beyond expectations», «against all expectations».

Examples

• The team did better than expectations. tree →
• The film didn't live up to my expectations. tree →
• Our teacher has high expectations. tree →
• Against all expectations, the little horse won. tree →
• If you flip a coin 100 times, the expectation is 50 heads. tree →
• There is an expectation that everyone helps tidy up. tree →
• While they were assembled in anxious expectation of some terrible calamity, out came a Mouse. tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: expect. Maths: expected value = number of tries × probability, an average, not a promise.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means what a person hopes for or waits for, especially hope placed in God.

Interpretation. Proverbs teaches that the hopes of the wicked come to nothing while the righteous hope is joy. The tradition reads hope in God as a mark of faith.

Examples

• And I said: 'My strength is perished, and mine expectation from the LORD.' (Writings LAM.3.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• The hope of the righteous is gladness; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. (Writings PRO.10.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish, and the hope of strength perisheth. (Writings PRO.11.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: expect. Maths: expected value = number of tries × probability, an average, not a promise.