expect the unexpected

verb

To be prepared for unusual or surprising events.

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Meanings

verbexpect the unexpected (third-person singular simple present expects the unexpected, present participle expecting the unexpected, simple past and past participle expected the unexpected)

present singular third person expects the unexpected · participle present expecting the unexpected · participle past expected the unexpected · past expected the unexpected

  1. imperativeoftenTo be prepared for unusual or surprising events.

    Over the years, the Beyhive has learned to expect the unexpected when it comes to our fave, so we kinda-sorta-maybe saw this coming. We knew about the documentary, and we'd heard whispers about a new album being in the works, so we suspected that the film and B7 would be dropping on the same day.

    2019 April 17, Ineye Komonibo, “Beyoncé Dropped Another Album While You Were Sleeping”, in Marie Claire, archived from the original on 21 Apr 2021
Cite this entry
APA

expect the unexpected. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/expect%20the%20unexpected

MLA

“expect the unexpected.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/expect%20the%20unexpected. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “expect the unexpected,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/expect%20the%20unexpected.

Source: expect the unexpected on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.