build up expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"build up expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about increasing someone's anticipation of an event, or creating anticipation for it. For example: "The marketing team worked hard to build up expectations for the launch of the new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"On the one hand, you want to build up expectations.

The New York Times

I know, obviously, everyone doesn't want us to build up expectations but I firmly believe that we've got the players.

The Guardian - Sport

Experience tells us that it would be unwise to build up expectations for Eli Broad's proposed new museum, whose design was unveiled at a ceremony in downtown Los Angeles last week.

The New York Times - Arts

Liu Xiang, no hulking figure himself, was China's version of Freeman: an upbeat, upwardly mobile embodiment of national progress who had thrived long enough in his event, the 110-meter hurdles, to build up expectations on a scale that the Chinese emperors would have appreciated.

The New York Times - Sports

I wasn't going to build up expectations by any stretch of the imagination.

BBC

"Very often, with an Old Firm game if you build up expectations of trouble, it simply doesn't happen.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I probably built up expectation to send a message to the club to say: 'We can do all right here.' The first year was supposed to be transition, that was the object with the owners.

The Guardian - Sport

But the sus tained inflationary spiral has built up expectations this year in particular.

The New York Times

But the campaign has built up expectations that the tenor has been unable to fulfill in person.

The New York Times - Arts

Karen Pine, professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, talks of the "Peter Pan syndrome", where young adults failed to mature financially and built up expectations of dependence.

The Guardian - Business

If anything the GOP Leadership built up expectations on shutting down the government and repealing Obamacare that were inevitably going to come back to bite them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "build up expectations" strategically in marketing and communication to generate interest and excitement, but ensure that your product or service can deliver on the promise.

Common error

Be mindful of the ethical implications of "build up expectations". Avoid exaggerating or making misleading claims that could deceive your audience or customers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build up expectations" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of gradually increasing anticipation or excitement about something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "build up expectations" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes the process of gradually increasing anticipation or excitement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While effective for generating interest, it's crucial to manage expectations realistically to avoid disappointment. Alternatives such as "create anticipation" or "foster anticipation" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Use this phrase wisely and ethically to maximize its positive impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop anticipation

Highlights the development of anticipation, similar to 'build up' but less forceful.

create anticipation

Focuses on the creation of anticipation rather than the gradual increase.

foster anticipation

Emphasizes nurturing and promoting anticipation.

fuel anticipation

Implies adding energy and intensity to the anticipation.

increase excitement

Highlights the emotional aspect of building anticipation.

generate hype

Suggests creating buzz and publicity, often with a more intense connotation.

raise hopes

Focuses on the hopes that are increased, shifting the emphasis from the expectation itself.

set high hopes

Describes establishing a heightened level of expectation.

inflate optimism

Emphasizes the increase of optimism, implying a potentially unrealistic expectation.

cultivate eagerness

Focuses on developing a sense of eagerness over time.

FAQs

How can I use "build up expectations" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's marketing campaign aimed to build up expectations for the new product launch" or "The movie trailer did a great job of building up expectations, leaving viewers eager to see the film".

What are some alternatives to "build up expectations"?

You can use alternatives like "create anticipation", "foster anticipation", or "develop anticipation" depending on the context.

Is it better to "build up expectations" or keep them low?

It depends on the situation. Building up expectations can generate excitement, but it also increases the risk of disappointment if those expectations are not met. Managing expectations is often the key.

What's the difference between "build up expectations" and "set high hopes"?

"Build up expectations" refers to the process of gradually creating anticipation, whereas "set high hopes" implies a more immediate and potentially less realistic anticipation of a positive outcome.