IDIOMS ABOUT EXPECTATION

OUT OF THE BLUE – to happen absolutely unexpectedly

Ganzo was sitting on the sofa with a glass of beer when Terry burst into the room. His younger brother regularly vanished for several days and then appeared out of the blue.

PAR FOR THE COURSE – to be not so pleasant but typical or expected

At first, Terry's disappearances freaked Ganzo out but after tenth or twelfth time he got used to it. And the last time also didn’t surprise him at all, it was par for the course.

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM/ THE LULL BEFORE THE STORM – a quiet time which is followed by a period of problems or intense activity

Terry sat down in front of his brother and gave him an intriguing smile. That smile was a sign that it was just the calm before the storm and Terry had some reckless plan on his mind.  

NOT HAVE A PRAYER – to not have a possibility to succeed

“Ganzooo… I have a plan!”

“I bet you don’t have a prayer at making it fly.”

EARLY DAYS/ EARLY IN THE DAY – to be too soon to make suggestions about what will happen with someone or something

“Hey, it’s early in the day to say that! I didn’t even explain it to you!”

CASTLES IN THE AIR – unrealistic hopes and dreams

“And you don’t need to. I already know it’s castles in the air. As always.”

FEEL SOMETHING IN YOUR BONES – to be certain about something but be unable to explain why (1)

A LONG SHOT – something that is risky and has little chances of succeess but the result is worth trying (2)

“Nooo, I feel in my bones (1) that this time it’s a good idea! I’m gonna invest in my friend's new IT company. Before you say something… I know perfectly well that it’s a long shot (2) but nothing ventured, nothing gained"

NOT A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE IN HELL – to be absolutely impossible

“Your friend? Is it Taco? Oh man, you don’t have a snowball's chance in hell of making something with this guy! He is an IT outsider!”  

LIKE LOOKING FOR A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK – to be similar to searching for something or someone that has little chances of being found

“He'll put everything right and, I don't know, find some great IT specialists to work for the company.”

“Wow. Sounds ‘great’. Do you realize that chasing good specialists who would be ready to work for an unknown company is like looking for a needle in a haystack?”

ON THE CARDS – to be likely to occur or happen

“You’re so boring, brother. I’ll deal with it somehow. I’m sure, a raving success is on the cards! We’ll make millions!”

NOT COUNT YOUR CHICKENS/ NOT COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY’RE HATCHED – to not make plans based on something that may not happen in future (1)

ON THE OFF-CHANCE – to do something hoping that you will succeed when you’re not certain you actually will (2)

“Don’t count your chickens before they're hatched (1), you don’t even have the seed capital. You told me about your plan on the off-chance (2) that I’ll help you with it, didn’t you”?

“Why would you say something like that?"

"Because I know you?"

"Yeah, ok. Actually, yes, you’re right, I do need your help."

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