The phrase "contrary to all expectations" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It typically means that something happened or turned out in a way that was unexpected or surprising. Example: Contrary to all expectations, the underdog team came out victorious in the championship game. In this sentence, the phrase is used to emphasize the surprising nature of the underdog team's victory. It suggests that no one had predicted or expected them to win, making their victory even more unexpected.
Along with evidence from other Type Ia supernovae, it indicated that the expansion of the universe, contrary to all expectations, was speeding up, pushing the supernovae further away than expected.
Good news from Germany where investor confidence is up, contrary to all expectations.
Contrary to all expectations, Japan triumphed on land and sea, and Russia stumbled into the Revolution of 1905.
Microsoft will promptly advise the court if, contrary to all expectations, the district court grants Microsoft's stay motion now that a notice of appeal has been filed.
Contrary to all expectations, the Delhi government completed a section of India's most modern mass transit system — ahead of schedule and well below the projected cost.
And then, contrary to all expectations, there was an "Adlai Stevenson moment": The U.S. secretary of state displayed to the world aerial photographs showing trucks next to a bunker storing what signs say are chemical munitions.
Contrary to all expectation Bellamy was selected.
Contrary to all expectation, a football match broke out.
9. Katie Hopkins started and finished surprisingly well – but reverted to type in between Contrary to all expectation, the rent-a-troll began as a voice of reason.
Contrary to all expectation, based on the usual weather conditions in May, the expeditions to the west coast of Africa to observe the total solar eclipse of May 20 were uniformly successful, whereas those to Brazil were upset by cloudy conditions.
Through D. H. Hill, who outranked him, Stuart reported the alarming news that the Federals at 2 P.M. had driven him from the gap in the Catoctin Mountains, a minor range that lay about seven miles east of South Mountain.65 McClellan, still contrary to all expectation, was pushing on — and shrewdly.
