defied all expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defied all expectations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or outcome that was surprisingly better than what was anticipated. Example: "The movie was a sleeper hit that defied all expectations, earning rave reviews and box office success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The 2012 Golden Globe Awards went as expected for the film nominees -- and defied all expectations when it came to TV winners.

Huffington Post

They have defied all expectations.

The New York Times

Corbyn had defied all expectations.

The Guardian

Even China, whose powerhouse growth has so far defied all expectations, has demographic demons.

The New York Times

The performances defied all expectations of a traditional performance or technological showcase.

The Guardian - Arts

"It defied all expectations," said Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney's theatrical division.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

And then after Russell grew to be a star at North Carolina State and later Wisconsin and defied all expectation by becoming the Seahawks quarterback and winning the Super Bowl in his second season.

The Guardian - Sport

But the lingering impact of the deep recession has defied all expectation.

Huffington Post

Defying all expectations and résumé comparisons, the Lakers chose D'Antoni.

The New York Times - Sports

But that "win" was awarded on the basis of defying all expectations (and polling) with a virtual tie.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1993, Nirvana appeared on MTV Unplugged, defying all expectations by playing both their and other artists' lesser known work, and definitely not 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defied all expectations" to highlight a surprising or unexpected positive outcome, especially when there was a strong prior belief that something different would occur.

Common error

Avoid using "defied all expectations" when only some, but not all, expectations were proven wrong. If some expectations were met, consider a weaker phrase like "exceeded some expectations" or "surpassed many predictions."

Linguistic Context

"Defied all expectations" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to characterize a situation or outcome that significantly surpassed what was anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, as can be seen in many examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defied all expectations" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations where the outcome significantly surpassed what was anticipated. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase functions descriptively and serves to emphasize the unexpected or surprising nature of an event. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral register and suggests a factual assessment. Consider using alternatives like "surpassed all expectations" or "exceeded all predictions" for nuanced emphasis. Remember to reserve "defied all expectations" for scenarios where the surprise is significant, not merely a slight improvement over original expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassed all expectations

Emphasizes exceeding expectations rather than acting against them.

exceeded all predictions

Focuses on outperforming forecasts, often in a quantitative sense.

outstripped all forecasts

Highlights surpassing forecasts by a significant margin.

belied all assumptions

Indicates that the outcome contradicted underlying assumptions.

proved the naysayers wrong

Specifically refers to overcoming negative predictions or skepticism.

smashed expectations

Conveys a forceful and impressive exceeding of expectations.

blew past all estimates

Highlights a rapid and significant surpassing of projected figures.

ran counter to all anticipations

Stresses the unexpected and opposite nature of the result.

rose above all projected limits

Emphasizes achieving a level beyond what was thought possible.

invalidated all presuppositions

Underscores that the result rendered prior assumptions as incorrect.

FAQs

How can I use "defied all expectations" in a sentence?

You can use "defied all expectations" to describe an event or performance that was surprisingly better than anticipated. For example, "The company's profits this quarter "defied all expectations" and reached record levels."

What can I say instead of "defied all expectations"?

You can use alternatives like "surpassed all expectations", "exceeded all predictions", or "belied all assumptions" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "exceeded expectations" or "defied all expectations"?

"Exceeded expectations" is a general term for surpassing what was anticipated. "Defied all expectations" implies a stronger contrast between what was expected and what actually happened, suggesting a surprise or unexpected positive outcome.

What's the difference between "defied all expectations" and "defied the odds"?

"Defied all expectations" focuses on surpassing specific anticipations, while "defied the odds" emphasizes overcoming challenges or low probabilities of success.