Expectations & Predictabilities: English Vocabulary List

used to describe a challenging task or problem that requires careful thought and attention to detail

"It is a hard task."

"Winning this competition against such strong opponents felt impossible; it was all Lombard Street to a China orange."

used to suggest that people can be unpredictable and diverse in their behavior, emphasizing the importance of being accepting and respectful of individual differences

"People are endlessly surprising and strange — there is nowt so queer as folk."

"His sudden decision to quit his stable job for an uncertain venture proved that there is nowt so queer as folk."

used to suggest that real-life events can be more surprising and unusual than anything that could be invented, emphasizing that reality is often unpredictable and extraordinary

"Truth is stranger fiction."

"The unbelievable events of the past year made me realize that truth is stranger than fiction."

used to suggest that people who are seen as foolish or unimportant often have insights that others do not, because they have a unique perspective on the world or can notice what others cannot

"Jokers sometimes reveal truth — jesters do oft prove prophets."

"His offhand comment at the meeting turned out to be exactly right — jesters do oft prove prophets."

used to suggest that if someone does not expect too much from a situation or person, they will not be let down if things do not go as planned or hoped for

"Expect little and you will not be disappointed — blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed."

"He never hoped for praise or recognition, so blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed."

used to suggest that managing expectations and anticipating potential setbacks can help people avoid disappointment and maintain a more positive outlook

"Low expectations protect you — expect disappointment and you will never be disappointed."

"He went into the meeting expecting the worst and left pleasantly surprised — expect disappointment and you will never be disappointed."

used to imply that the excitement or imagination of something can be more satisfying than the reality of it, suggesting that people should not build up their expectations too much

"Looking forward to something is often better than getting it — expectation is far better than realization."

"The much-anticipated product launch left everyone a little flat — expectation is far better than realisation."

used to suggest that no matter how prepared someone is, there is always the possibility of unforeseen circumstances or events that can alter the outcome

"Plans always meet something unplanned — the unexpected always happens."

"Every carefully prepared project encountered something nobody had anticipated — the unexpected always happens."

used to suggest that people should not have unrealistic expectations or demand too much from something or someone that is limited in its abilities or capacities

"Hog but grunt."

"Don't expect sophisticated analysis from a tabloid newspaper; what can you expect from a hog but a grunt?"

used to suggest that future events can often be predicted by observing the signs or indications that precede them

"Warning signs appear before problems do — coming events cast their shadows before."

"The drop in customer satisfaction scores was a clear warning — coming events cast their shadows before."

used to suggest that even those in positions of power or influence may one day find themselves indebted to someone who is seemingly weaker or less significan

"The weak can help the powerful — a lion may come to be beholden to a mouse."

"The startup's small contribution proved critical to the multinational's project — a lion may come to be beholden to a mouse."

used to suggest that circumstances and situations can change unexpectedly, making it unwise to make absolute statements or predictions about the future

"Do not say something will never happen — never is a long time."

"She said she would never return to the industry — but never is a long time."

used to suggest that something is very certain or obvious, emphasizing the clear outcome or result of a situation

"It is all Lombard Street to a China orange."

"Given his overwhelming evidence, it is all Lombard Street to a China orange that he will be found guilty."