lower expectations

[LOH-er ik-SPEK-tay-shunz]

verb phrase

reduzir expectativas

1. To reduce or diminish one's hopes or anticipated outcomes for something or someone

After the first quarter results, the company decided to lower expectations for the year.

Após os resultados do primeiro trimestre, a empresa decidiu reduzir expectativas para o ano.

2. To adjust one's standards downward in anticipation of lesser performance or results

We had to lower expectations when we realized the budget was cut in half.

Tivemos que reduzir nossas expectativas quando percebemos que o orçamento foi cortado pela metade.

NYC Slang

pump the brakes on your hopes / dial it back

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

reduzir expectativas / baixar expectativas

Both forms are commonly used in Brazilian Portuguese

São Paulo

reduzir expectativas

More formal usage in business contexts

Portugal

reduzir expectativas / diminuir expectativas

Both expressions are standard in European Portuguese

lower the bar

manage expectations

set the bar lower

don't get your hopes up

keep your expectations realistic

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