1.
disappointment; letdown; something that fails to meet expectations
Describes a situation, result, or thing that does not live up to what was hoped for or expected. Used both as a noun and as a modifier with の.
映画は期待外れだった。
The movie was a disappointment.
試験の結果が期待外れで落ち込んだ。
I was depressed because the exam results were a letdown.
期待外れの結果に終わったが、次に向けて頑張りたい。
It ended in a disappointing result, but I want to try harder for next time.
A compound of 期待 (expectation) and 外れ (miss, deviation). Expresses the gap between what was anticipated and the actual outcome. Very commonly used in everyday conversation, reviews, and news reporting.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 期待外れの結果: disappointing result
- 期待外れに終わる: to end in disappointment
- 完全に期待外れ: a complete letdown
- 期待外れの展開: an unexpected/disappointing development
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 失望: disappointment — more emotional and formal; focuses on the feeling of losing hope
- 落胆: discouragement — more literary; emphasizes the emotional deflation
- 肩透かし: anticlimax — implies being let down after bracing for something bigger
USAGE:
Can function as a predicate with だ (期待外れだった) or as a noun modifier with の (期待外れの結果). Not used with な.