high hopes

You usually say you have high hopes for something. You can also pin your high hopes on someone. It works as a noun phrase. You can use it for your career, a date, or even a new recipe. It sounds very natural in almost any conversation.

Use it when you are starting something new. It is perfect for a first day at a job. Use it when you are cheering for your favorite sports team. It is great for talking about a friend's new business venture. You can use it in a meeting to show you are positive. It also works in a text when you are excited about a weekend trip.

Do not use it for things that are already guaranteed. If you already won the lottery, you do not have high hopes. Avoid using it for very tiny, unimportant things. Saying you have high hopes for a piece of toast sounds a bit dramatic. Unless, of course, it is really fancy sourdough. Then, maybe it is okay.

This phrase is deeply rooted in the 'American Dream' mentality. It is about the power of positive thinking. There is even a famous song by Frank Sinatra called High Hopes. It is about an ant trying to move a rubber tree plant. It teaches that persistence and big dreams lead to success. It is a very 'can-do' English expression.

You might hear people say they have great expectations. That sounds a bit more like a classic novel. You could also say you are keeping your fingers crossed. That is more about luck than belief. High hopes is the most balanced version. It shows you are confident but still waiting for the result.