The Shield of Expectation
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
The perfectly plain shield given to a young warrior in his maiden campaign. As he achieved glory, his deeds were recorded or symbolized on it.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “The Shield of Expectation” mean?
The perfectly plain shield given to a young warrior in his maiden campaign. As he achieved glory, his deeds were recorded or symbolized on it.
Is “The Shield of Expectation” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.