IELTS Idioms for Expectation

ielts-idioms-for-expectation
1) the calm before the storm or the lull before the storm
Meaning- You describe a very quiet period as the calm before the storm or the lull before the storm if it is followed by a period of trouble or intense activity.
Example- Things are relatively relaxed at the moment but I think it's probably the calm before the storm. The Emergency Department is fairly quiet, it's probably the lull before the storm.

2) castles in the air
Meaning- If you describe someone's plans as castles in the air, you mean that they are not realistic and have no chance of succeeding.
Example- The population began to understand that the president's election promises had been castles in the air.

3) not count your chickens or not count your chickens before they're hatched
Meaning- If you say that you are not counting your chickens (before they're hatched),  you mean that you are not making plans for the future because you do not know for certain how a particular situation will  develop.
Example- If we get through to the next stage we'll be competing against some top-class sides, so I'm not counting my chickens. When dealing with important financial arrangements, never count your chickens before they're hatched.
Example- The contract is not signed yet. Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.

4) feel  something  in your bones
Meaning- If you say that you can feel something in your bones,  you mean that you feel very strongly that you are right about something,  although you cannot explain why.
Example- Joe, I have a hunch you're going to lose tonight.  I just feel it in my bones.
Example- Tradition is very important - you'd think a conservative would know that in his bones.

5) not have a prayer
Meaning- If you say that someone does not have a prayer, you mean that it is impossible for them to achieve something.
Example- The team was on such good form their opponents didn't have a prayer.

6) it's early days or it's early in the day
Meaning- If you say that it's early days or it's early in the day, you mean that it is too soon to be sure about what will happen about a situation in the future.  [BRITISH]
Example- We haven't made a lot of progress, but it's early days yet.
Example- The spokesman did not expect any immediate changes. 'It is very early in the day yet.'

7) like looking for a needle in a haystack
Meaning- If trying to find something is like looking for a needle in a  haystack,  it is extremely Example- She was told by police that searching for the dog would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Example- It soon became clear that we were looking for a needle in a haystack. It's very much a needle in a haystack situation that we're dealing with.

8) a long shot
Meaning- If you describe a way of solving a problem  as a long shot, you mean there is little  chance that it will succeed but you think it worth trying.

Example- You could try to find her. It's a long shot but you could start with her old school.

9) on the cards
Meaning- If something is on the cards,   it is very likely to happen.  [BRITISH]
Example- A major change in the way hospitals and schools are funded is on the cards.

10) on the off-chance
Meaning- If you do something on the off-chance,    you do it because there is a small chance that a good thing will happen even though you do not really expect it to. [mainly  BRITISH]
Example- She had turned up on the off-chance of catching a glimpse of the princess.

11) out of the blue
Meaning- If something happens out of the blue it happens unexpectedly.
Example- Then, out of the blue a solicitor's letter arrived.

12) par for the course
Meaning- If something that happens is par for the course, it is not good but it is what you expect.
Example- There are leaves and branches all over the streets, and the power is out. But that's all par for the course in a hurricane.

13) not a snowball’s chance in hell
Meaning- If there is not a snowball's chance in hell of someone doing something or of something happening,   there is no chance at all that they will do it or it will happen.  [BRITISH, SPOKEN]
Example- Do you seriously think he has a snowball's chance in hell of winning this election?


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