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trap of expectations

trap of expectations

7.5
A feeling of being held back by what other people expect you to do
  • noun
translation icon : trampa de expectativas
  • She struggled for years to break free from the trap of expectations imposed by her community.

Examples

  • Many students experience the trap of expectations when trying to meet their parents' goals.

  • Artists often feel stifled by the trap of expectations placed upon them by their audience.

  • She felt caught in a trap of expectations from her family.

  • Many young adults struggle with the trap of expectations imposed by society.

  • Many young adults struggle with the trap of expectations imposed by society.

  • Many students experience the trap of expectations when trying to meet their parents' goals.

  • Artists often feel stifled by the trap of expectations placed upon them by their audience.

Synonyms

societal trap
vstrap of expectations
7.7

A situation where what others expect limits a person's choices

is about feeling confined and pressured by other people
cage of expectations
vstrap of expectations
9.8

A situation where people feel trapped by what others think they should do

focuses on the inner experience of being confined rather than on rules
thumbscrew of expectation
vstrap of expectations
  • Informal
9.9

Strong pressure you feel because other people want you to do well

covers a broader sense of feeling confined or pressured without intense pain

Antonyms

489 1.1

Not having to do something a rule requires

127 3.9

The act of setting people free from control or unfair treatment

How Constraining

trap of expectations
7.5
conformity
24 4.8
norm
187 3.7
expectation
633 2.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

trap + of + expectation

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: a 'trap' that is constituted by 'expectations' clearly conveys being confined or pressured by others' expectations. This is a transparent metaphorical composition (akin to 'trapped by expectations') that is cross-linguistically common and should be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the component words.

Etymology

The phrase trap of expectations paints a clear picture: imagine a trap like a cage or net called expectations that catches a person so they cannot move freely. That's why it means 'feeling stuck' or 'pressured' by what others want.