EXPECTATION

[noun]Considering the problems he's had there can be little expectation of him winning the race. [U]She was constantly in expectation of being arrested. [U]Now that our two groups have merged we can all have great expectations for the future. [C]The size of the bequest was beyond all (of) our expectations/beyond (all) expectation (= much greater than expected). [C or U]There are widespread expectations that the UK will cut its interest rate. [C + that clause]If something is against/contrary to (all) expectation(s) it is very different to what is expected.Contrary to all expectations she was accepted by the academy.If something does not come/live up to expectation(s) it is not as good as expected.