← Back to Fala2Me

low expectations

[/loʊ ɪkˈspɛktəʃənz/]
noun phrase
expectativas baixas
1. a belief that something or someone will not achieve much or perform well; anticipation of minimal success or quality
The team started the season with low expectations after losing their best players.
O time começou a temporada com expectativas baixas depois de perder seus melhores jogadores.
2. minimal standards or requirements set for performance or outcomes
Having low expectations for the restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised by the excellent service.
Tendo expectativas baixas para o restaurante, ficamos agradavelmente surpresos com o excelente atendimento.
NYC Slang
don't get your hopes up; tempering expectations
Synonyms
low standardsminimal expectationsmodest hopeslimited prospectspessimistic outlook
Antonyms
high expectationsgreat expectationsambitious goalsoptimistic outlookhigh standards

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
expectativas baixas
standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
expectativas fracas
alternative colloquial usage
São Paulo
expectativas baixas
standard formal usage
Portugal
expectativas reduzidas
more formal Portuguese preference

Related Idioms & Phrases

exceed low expectations
set low expectations
live up to low expectations
pleasantly surprised despite low expectations
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →