supposed to do

supposed to

1. Intended, expected, or believed to do something. This new software is supposed to make things a lot more efficient, but I find it so confusing that everything is taking me twice as long! We're supposed to arrive around 3 PM, assuming our flights aren't delayed.
2. Required or obligated to do something. I was supposed to be home an hour ago—my parents are going to kill me! Please don't distract him, he's supposed to be cleaning his room.
3. Allowed or permitted to do something. (Chiefly used in questions and negative constructions.) You're not supposed to go in there! Are you sure you're supposed to be in here?
See also: supposed
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

supposed to do something

expected or intended to do something; obliged or allowed to do something. You're supposed to say "excuse me" when you burp. Mom says you're supposed to come inside for dinner now.
See also: supposed
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • not supposed to
  • supposed to
  • talk in circles
  • the swing of things
  • muddle up
  • muddled up
  • bed in
  • see daylight
  • speak in circles
  • break it down!
References in periodicals archive
But I wasn't supposed to do anything, so I let it go.
They had been out there doing what disciples are supposed to do: preaching, curing the sick, casting out demons.
Take it easy and no play : all work makes Jack and Jane dull disciples
What were the disciples supposed to do with that little doozy of a story, which taught that the kingdom of God is like a clueless woman?
Unclean: Luke 13:20-21: winning sermon in the 2006 Baptist Heritage Preaching Contest: one of the hardest things to take about Jesus is that he kept getting things wrong. His disciples and other followers tried to help him. They really did
What would you rather do: pay your violations, or make your employee do what he's supposed to do? What I don't understand is why you would pay all these employees their wages when they're touching the chicken with their bare hands, or holding it at the wrong temperature?
The city of New York department of mental health and hygiene bureau of food safety and community sanitation restaurant health inspectors and administrators
But, in fact, advertising doesn't always do what it is supposed to do, and, equally important, there is rarely a measurable correlation between the money spent and the results it generates.
Why ad agencies don't advertise: their eyes on prizes, they know the ROI isn't always there
I view that as explaining to them what the real issues are and helping them understand auditing, how it works and what it's supposed to do. It's a very important role because it can keep the board from being captured by the accounting industry.
Accounting board's chief auditor speaks out: In an interview, Douglas R. Carmichael, chief auditor for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, talks about the board and the tasks ahead. (Accounting)
What am I supposed to do? Sometimes having an affair is the only way to save someone's life."
Tilting at windmills
Every time I've had a child I have dropped out for a year and a half, and you are not supposed to do that.
Film: Quote of the week Susan Sarandon
Or does it mean they are so lazy they did not check out what they are supposed to do? Or are they just incompetent?
MILLER ON PROCUREMENT
"But that's the thing - all the Auteurs records have sold `alright' so I suppose they're doing what pop albums are supposed to do."
The Bitz: Boys are back in town by order of the Boot
But what are you supposed to do when all culture is revivalist?
Twist and crawl
Managers are not supposed to do everything themselves.
Write a powerful resume
What children are supposed to do at Mass--and what actually happens--are questions parishes across the country are trying to answer.
How to draw kids in Mass: if the most frequent chorus you hear at Mass is "When is it going to be over?" it's time for you and your parish to learn more about strategies for child-friendly liturgies. (Cover Story)
(Our biggest contribution toward Philippine prosperity is probably to absorb immigrants.) If Corazon Aquino, an enormously popular president and a perfectly pedigreed member of the upper class, can't convince her fellow rich hacienda-owners to share their land, how is some American supposed to do the job?
Waltzing with a dictator: the Marcoses and the making the foreign policy