Idioms about Hope and Expectations

Idioms about Hope, Expectations, and What We Think Will Happen

Hello English learners! Idioms about hope and expectations

Hope is a curious thing. Sometimes it keeps us going when everything looks hopeless. Sometimes it makes us wait for things that never arrive. And sometimes… it sets us up for disappointment (English has plenty to say about that too).

In everyday English — and especially in Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced) — we often talk about hopes, expectations, plans, and predictions. Native speakers rarely do this in a plain, boring way. Instead, they use idioms: colourful expressions that make your English sound more natural, emotional, and expressive.

In this lesson, you’ll learn useful idioms related to hope and expectations, with clear meanings and natural example sentences. Some express optimism. Some express doubt. And some gently remind us not to get our hopes up too high. 😉

Idioms about hope and optimism

Hope for the best

Meaning: to stay optimistic, even when the situation is uncertain or difficult.

We’ve done everything we can. Now we just have to hope for the best.

Keep your fingers crossed

Meaning: to hope that something will happen or succeed.

I have my driving test tomorrow — keep your fingers crossed for me!

There’s light at the end of the tunnel

Meaning: a difficult situation is almost over; things will soon improve.

The last few months have been hard, but there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel.

A glimmer of hope

Meaning: a small sign that a bad situation might improve.

The doctors said it would be a long recovery, but the new treatment has given us a glimmer of hope.

Build castles in the air

Meaning: to have unrealistic or impossible hopes or plans.

He talks about becoming a millionaire, but he’s building castles in the air.

Dream come true

Meaning: something you have wanted for a long time finally happens.

Getting this job feels like a dream come true.

Idioms about expectations and predictions

Expect the worst

Meaning: to believe that the result will probably be bad.

With this old car, I always expect the worst before a long journey.

Know what to expect

Meaning: to be prepared for a situation because you understand it.

I’ve worked here before, so I know what to expect.

Set your sights on something

Meaning: to decide to aim for a particular goal.

She’s set her sights on studying at a top university.

Have high hopes

Meaning: to feel optimistic and expect good results.

The coach has high hopes for the team this season.

Live up to expectations

Meaning: to be as good as people hoped or expected.

The film didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

Fall short of expectations

Meaning: to be worse than expected.

His exam results fell short of expectations.

Idioms about disappointment and false hope

Get your hopes up

Meaning: to start believing that something good will happen (often used with don’t).

Don’t get your hopes up — they haven’t made a final decision yet.

A false hope

Meaning: a hope that is unlikely to come true.

They gave him false hope by suggesting the job was already his.

Dash someone’s hopes

Meaning: to destroy someone’s hope or confidence.

The cancelled flight dashed our hopes of arriving on time.

Pin your hopes on something

Meaning: to rely on one single thing for success.

He pinned all his hopes on getting that promotion.

Back to square one

Meaning: to return to the starting point after failure or disappointment.

The plan didn’t work, so we’re back to square one.

Idioms about patience and waiting

Wait and see

Meaning: to be patient and see what happens before making a decision.

Let’s wait and see how the situation develops.

In the pipeline

Meaning: being prepared or planned and likely to happen soon.

Several new projects are in the pipeline.

On the horizon

Meaning: likely to happen in the near future.

Better days are on the horizon.

Why these idioms matter for exams and real English

In B2 First and C1 Advanced, examiners love precise language instead of vague words like hope, think, maybe, natural expressions in essays, reviews, and speaking and idioms used carefully and correctly to add style and personality.

Compare:

I think things will get better.

vs

There’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Same idea — but the second sounds more confident, more natural, and more advanced.

Mini practice

Complete the sentences:

1. Don’t __________ your hopes up — nothing is confirmed yet.
2. The results didn’t __________ up to expectations.
3. We’re just going to __________ and see what happens.
4. After months of stress, there’s finally __________ at the end of the tunnel.
5. He’s __________ his sights on a career in teaching.

Answers: 1.get, 2. live, 3. wait, 4. light, 5. set

Final thought

Hope is what makes us start things. Expectations are what make us continue. And English idioms? They make us talk about both beautifully.

If you start using even a few of these expressions in your speaking and writing, your English will sound more natural, richer, and more confident — and that’s something always worth hoping for.

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how or where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!