The phrase "defeat expectation" is often used to describe situations where someone performs worse than anticipated or fails to meet certain expectations. There are numerous synonyms for this phrase, including "fall short of expectations," "disappoint," "underperform," "miss the mark," and "fail to live up to expectations." Each of these phrases conveys the same basic concept: that someone or something has not lived up to what was expected of them. Whether it's a student receiving a lower grade than expected or a business failing to meet its profit targets, these phrases capture the sense of not achieving what was anticipated.