# be supposed to be sth

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/be-supposed-to-be-sth
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

you use this when something is expected or intended to be a certain way, even if it is not actually like that.

## Examples

- This train is supposed to be on time.
- The hotel room was supposed to be quiet, but the music from the street kept me awake all night.
- Although the new policy was supposed to be a solution to the budget crisis, it actually created more financial problems for the department.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.