shatter expectations

USAGE SUMMARY

"shatter expectations" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it any time you want to emphasize the surprise of something exceeding expectations. For example, "The new smartphone shattered expectations with its improved performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Obama came into office promising to shatter expectations of what was possible in Washington.

The Guardian

The record combines tropes from techno, electro, and funk with inhuman sound design and sci-fi atmospherics, and although it doesn't necessarily shatter expectations, it's remarkable for its clarity of vision.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The plot, which became known as "mensalão," because the bribe payments were made monthly, shattered expectations.

The New York Times

His improvisation gave Canisius an 85-84 victory and started a day of shattered expectations at Pepsi Arena.

The New York Times - Sports

Trump shattered expectations with an election victory that revealed deep anti-establishment anger among American voters and set the world on a journey into the political unknown.

The Guardian

He had been regarded by Whitehall as a safe, establishment figure, but shattered expectations in a series of reports condemning conditions in prisons.

The Guardian

While I like to think Amalía enjoys shattering expectations and blurring gender stereotypes, was I being cruel to deny my daughter something that everyone around her seemed to be consider a God-given right for a female?

The New York Times

KGW News reports that the state's dispensaries generate $3.5 million in the first day, shattering expectations that the state would only generate $9 million in net tax revenue for the entire year of 2017.

Independent

As it passed its narrative from voice to voice in an unforced democracy of idiolect it shattered expectations of what literature was and who its heroes or owners were.

The Guardian - Books

Donald Trump shattered expectations on Tuesday with an election night victory that revealed deep anti-establishment anger among American voters and set the world on a journey into the political unknown.

The Guardian

Small echoes of this sense of shattered expectations resonate poetically throughout, as when a banner celebrating a political triumph winds up being used as a blanket for a sleeping child.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shatter expectations" to emphasize a surprising and significant deviation from what was predicted or anticipated. It works well when the outcome is notably different and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "shatter expectations" for trivial or insignificant deviations from the norm. Reserve it for truly remarkable or unexpected outcomes, maintaining its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shatter expectations" acts as a verb phrase, where "shatter" is a transitive verb and "expectations" is its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it emphasizes the surprise of something exceedingly above the norm.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shatter expectations" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich phrase used to describe outcomes that significantly exceed anticipations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English. While relatively common in news and media, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it should be reserved for genuinely remarkable situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "exceed expectations" or "defy expectations" offer nuanced variations for different contexts. By understanding its function, register, and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively employ this phrase to add depth and precision to their expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smash preconceived notions

Emphasizes destruction of prior understanding. Highlights the complete disruption and replacement of existing beliefs. It is more drastic.

exceed expectations

Focuses on surpassing what was anticipated, without necessarily implying a dramatic surprise.

defy expectations

Highlights a challenge to what was predicted, suggesting a resistance to anticipated outcomes.

surpass anticipations

A more formal alternative to 'exceed expectations', emphasizing achievement beyond initial forecasts.

overturn predictions

Indicates a forceful reversal of what was expected, often in situations involving forecasting or prophecy.

revolutionize norms

Emphasizes transforming standard practices or behaviors, going beyond simple surprise.

redefine standards

Focuses on establishing new benchmarks, altering perceptions of what is considered typical or acceptable.

render obsolete prior assumptions

Highlights how expectations were so wrong they become outdated. This is very formal and emphasizes that prior assumptions are no longer valid or relevant.

go against the grain

Emphasizes contrast with the status quo, implying a divergence from typical pathways or established patterns.

fly in the face of tradition

Emphasizes the clash with established ways of doing things. It carries a stronger connotation of rebelling against what's conventional.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "shatter expectations" in a sentence?

Use "shatter expectations" when you want to highlight a significant and surprising departure from what was anticipated or predicted. For example, "The company's innovative product "shattered expectations", becoming a market leader unexpectedly".

What are some alternatives to "shatter expectations"?

You can use alternatives like "exceed expectations", "defy expectations", or "surpass anticipations" depending on the context.

Is it always positive when something "shatters expectations"?

While often used in a positive context to describe exceeding anticipated outcomes, "shatter expectations" can also be used to describe a negative surprise, such as when a highly anticipated product fails miserably.

What's the difference between "shatter expectations" and "meet expectations"?

"Shatter expectations" implies a surprising and significant exceeding of what was anticipated. "Meet expectations" simply means that the outcome was as predicted, without any element of surprise or exceptional performance.