reckon without

reckon without (someone or something)

To fail to consider or anticipate someone or something as a factor in some decision, situation, or outcome. I thought we'd have enough money for a deposit on a house, but we reckoned without needing to pay for Sophie's trip to the emergency room. Too many companies reckon without the pitfalls that make insurance like this an absolute necessity.
See also: reckon, without
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

reckon without someone

to fail to think about someone. He thought he'd get away with his crime, but he reckoned without the FBI agents. He had thought he was gone for sure, but he had reckoned without the paramedics.
See also: reckon, without
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

reckon without

v.
To fail to consider or deal with someone or something; ignore someone or something: They thought it would be an easy victory, but they had reckoned without the determination of their enemy.
See also: reckon, without
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • reckon without (someone or something)
  • reckon on
  • reckon on (someone or something)
  • reckon upon (someone or something)
  • have (got) (one's) number
  • have somebody's number
  • have someone's number
  • words right out of one's mouth, to take
  • think ahead
  • bargain on
References in periodicals archive
Ashington have to reckon without skipper Dean Greaves, who is likely to miss the next month or so following an operation, Michael Adamson will deputise in his absence.
Manager Tony Ainley, who must reckon without no fewer than 11 of his squad for a variety of reasons, said: "We'll give our best shot, that's for certain.
The Castle have to reckon without Alan Unsworth and Richard McGlasham.
The visitors have to reckon without Michael Peddelty, who injured his foot in last week's double-header, and Michael Crane is brought in to replace him.
Berwick have to reckon without Glen Bird, who has a broken hand.
The visitors have to reckon without Phil Hooper but are otherwise at full stre ngth.
But while Ashington boss Ray Gowan delays naming his team, his Whitley counterpart Ian Chandler knows he must reckon without key defender Ian Dixon, who is not available.
But Wade knows that he must reckon without forward Stuart Wise (pictured) who is not available tomorrow.
But the Fed, unbeaten in 30 League games this season, will have to reckon without striker David Southern, who is suspended.
Croft Park boss Harry Dunn must reckon without suspended former Blackburn midfielder Graham Fenton, but Gateshead welcome back striker Paul Taylor who has completed a five-week ban.
Spartans, without Andy Appleby who has rejoined Hartlepool, must also reckon without Ben Summers and Gareth Williams tomorrow.
Bedlington must still reckon without injured former Gateshead and Durham City defender Sam Kitchen, who has been out for six weeks with an Achilles tendon injury.
Dunn's depleted squad take on Frickley in a vital UniBond League Premier Division match at Croft Park tomorrow and, though it looks as if Blyth will have to reckon without injury victims Ben Summers, Andy Appleby, and Martin Peace, Dunn reckons he saw enough in the 1-0 League Cup defeat at his old club Whitby in midweek to suggest things are on the up.
Bell knows already he must reckon without suspended forward Stewart Wise.