Lower expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Lower expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to reduce their hopes or standards regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "Given the challenges we are facing, it might be wise to lower expectations for this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Lower expectations?

Huffington Post

First job: lower expectations.

Independent

First thing: lower expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Santorum likes to lower expectations.

The New York Times

AAP officials moved quickly to lower expectations.

The Guardian

Next in the manual: lower expectations.

The Guardian - Tech

Maybe that's the price of lower expectations.

The New York Times

It's so much better to have realistic or lower expectations.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Obama's advisers nevertheless sought to lower expectations.

The New York Times

"Here's to even lower expectations in the New Year".

The New Yorker

Women often have lower expectations when it comes to pay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When managing projects or setting goals, use "Lower expectations" to create realistic targets and avoid potential disappointment. This helps in fostering a more positive and achievable work environment.

Common error

Avoid setting unrealistically high goals initially. While aiming high is good, continually raising the bar without considering resources or limitations can lead to burnout and failure. "Lower expectations" to a reasonable level at the outset to foster sustainable progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Lower expectations" functions primarily as a directive or suggestion. It advises a reduction in the level of anticipation or hope regarding a particular outcome. Ludwig examples show it used in diverse scenarios, from political campaigns to personal finance, to manage perceptions and reduce potential disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Lower expectations" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to advise reducing one's level of anticipation or hope. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts, predominantly in news and media, and formal business settings. It serves the purpose of managing perceptions, mitigating potential disappointment, and fostering a more realistic outlook. While aiming high is often encouraged, being realistic and adjusting goals based on resources, limitations, and market volatility is crucial for sustainable progress. Therefore, use "Lower expectations" judiciously to create achievable targets and promote a positive environment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduce anticipations

Focuses on reducing the level of anticipation one has, implying a lessening of expectations.

Adjust hopes

Emphasizes the adjustment of one's hopes, suggesting a more realistic outlook.

Temper ambitions

Highlights the tempering of ambitions, indicating a moderation of desires.

Scale back predictions

Concerns scaling back or reducing the scope of predictions.

Diminish prospects

Implies that the outlook or possibilities are becoming less favorable.

Curb aspirations

Signifies restraining or limiting one's aspirations.

Reassess forecasts

Emphasizes the reevaluation of predictions or outlooks, often suggesting a downward revision.

Mitigate assumptions

Focuses on lessening the impact or influence of assumptions, often in anticipation of potential disappointment.

Be more realistic

Suggests adopting a more grounded and practical perspective.

Prepare for disappointment

Directly advises readying oneself for potential letdown, which implicitly involves adjusting expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "Lower expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "Lower expectations" to suggest a more realistic or achievable outlook, such as "Given the limited resources, we need to "lower expectations" for this project's initial success".

What's a good alternative to saying "Lower expectations"?

Alternatives include phrases like "adjust hopes", "temper ambitions", or "be more realistic", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to advise someone to "Lower expectations"?

It's appropriate when facing challenges, limited resources, or when initial goals are overly ambitious. For example, "Considering the current market volatility, it's wise to "lower expectations" for investment returns".

What are the benefits of "Lowering expectations"?

Lowering expectations can lead to reduced stress, increased satisfaction when goals are met, and a more realistic assessment of potential outcomes. It helps in setting achievable targets and managing potential disappointment.