knew it was coming

know (something) is coming

To be aware beforehand that something is about to or inevitably going to happen. Typically used in the past or past perfect tense. Even though I knew it was coming, the punchline to the joke still cracked me up. Have a little sympathy. There's no way she could have known what was coming. Please, don't get so upset. You knew this day was coming.
See also: coming, know
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

knew it was coming

 and (had) known it was coming
to have expected in advance that something was to happen. I shouldn't act surprised. I knew it was coming. It's his own fault. He should have known it was coming.
See also: coming, knew
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • know (something) is coming
  • look past
  • sneak past (someone or something)
  • brush past (someone or something)
  • in times past
  • the (dim and) distant past
  • the distant past
  • reach past (someone or something)
  • blow past (someone or something)
  • settle a score with