We need to have more realistic 'expectations' about when the house will be finished. [=to accept that the house will not be finished as soon as we thought it would be]
Company earnings were 'not up to expectations'. = Earnings 'fell short of expectations'. [=the company did not earn as much money as people thought it would earn]
The restaurant has succeeded 'beyond' (all) 'expectations'. = The restaurant has 'exceeded expectations'. [=it is more successful than people thought it would be]
(..) I can find no empathy for a mother who would take the life of her own children. But you understand the expectations that our society bestows on women... to marry, to have children, to smile when you feel incapable of smiling. (..)2018 TvShow: The Alienist Title: These Bloody Thoughts Season: 1 Episode 4