1 [U] expectation (of sth) the belief that sth will happen or come 预计;预料:
The dog was sitting under the table in expectation of food.那狗蹲在餐桌下面,等着东西吃。
2 [C] [usu.pl] hope for the future 期待;期望:
They had great expectations for their daughter, but she didn't really live up to them.他们对女儿寄以厚望,女儿却有负所望。
against/contrary to (all) expectation(s) very different to what was expected 与所预期的相距很远;出乎意料:
Contrary to all expectations, Val won first prize.出乎众人意料,瓦尔竟然得了头奖。not come up to (sb's) expectations to not be as good as expected 未符合期望;有负所望