half expect
When you don't honestly believe something to be the case, but wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be true.
My friend was so crazy, I half expected him to actually jump off the water tower into a tub of jello when the radio station offered him $10.
half expect
To anticipate the occurrence of an unlikely event while feigning surprise by its ultimate lack of fruition.
I half expected Billy Mays to show up in my kitchen and start telling me I was doing it wrong.