expect the worst
idiom
: to assume that something very bad will happen
We expect the worst when we return home after the storm passes.
Examples of expect the worst in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Conversely, Köln fans came into the season expecting the worst.
—
Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
For many who had expected the worst, the overwhelming reaction was relief, followed perhaps by a nervous guffaw.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
This creates a self-reinforcing loop where the person continues expecting the worst — and may act in ways that provoke it.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
But even though the force of evil in the story is a demon (Paapa Essiedu) rather than a technological invention, we've been taught over and over again to expect the worst from Black Mirror, so there's not much tension in the central mystery.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025
With an unknown number of casualties expected, the team at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital is told to expect the worst.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
How that reduction might affect the oversight and distribution of federal financial aid is not yet clear, but some higher education expert are expecting the worst, particularly given the last year’s troubled overhaul and rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
This briefing isn’t because anyone expects the worst, but because preparation is key.
—Andrew Rosen, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Image The day after the blaze started in Altadena, the Pierces returned to check on their three-bedroom home, expecting the worst.
—Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025
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Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
For many who had expected the worst, the overwhelming reaction was relief, followed perhaps by a nervous guffaw.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
This creates a self-reinforcing loop where the person continues expecting the worst — and may act in ways that provoke it.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
But even though the force of evil in the story is a demon (Paapa Essiedu) rather than a technological invention, we've been taught over and over again to expect the worst from Black Mirror, so there's not much tension in the central mystery.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025
With an unknown number of casualties expected, the team at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital is told to expect the worst.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025
How that reduction might affect the oversight and distribution of federal financial aid is not yet clear, but some higher education expert are expecting the worst, particularly given the last year’s troubled overhaul and rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
This briefing isn’t because anyone expects the worst, but because preparation is key.
—Andrew Rosen, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Image The day after the blaze started in Altadena, the Pierces returned to check on their three-bedroom home, expecting the worst.
—Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expect the worst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expect%20the%20worst. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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