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Updated on November 13, 2019
The following idioms and expressions with the noun ‘way’ cover a wide range of topics and meanings. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help you understand these common idiomatic expressions with ‘way’.
Idioms and Expressions Using the Word «Way»
All the way
Definition: the entire distance, do everything necessary
- We drove all the way to Phoenix yesterday.
- I’m sure they will make it all the way to finals.
(Go) all the way
Definition: travel the entire distance, achieve everything possible
- Make sure you go all the way to the end of the hall.
- She’ll go all the way!
In a bad way
Definition: feeling poorly, in a very negative situation
- I’m afraid Mary’s in a bad way. She needs our help.
- That car looks like it’s in a bad way.
In a big way
Definition: very much so
- I believe in that company in a big way.
- He enjoys tennis in a big way.
In a familiar way
Definition: pregnant
- Martha is in a familiar way.
- Did you know Peter’s wife is in a familiar way?
In a family way
Definition: pregnant
- Mary is in a family way.
- I hear that Jennifer is in a family way.
It cuts both ways
Definition: there are two sides to every argument, don’t forget someone else is also involved
- Don’t forget that it cuts both ways.
- Be nice to people when you beat them. Remember it cuts both ways.
It cuts two ways
Definition: there are two sides to every argument, don’t forget someone else is also involved
- Some people forget that it cuts two ways and treat others poorly.
- Never forget that it cuts two ways.
No way!
Definition: exclamation of disbelief when surprised by a statement
- I like Justin Bieber. — No way!
- Peter and Jane are going to get married. — No way!
The only way to go
Definition: the best solution
- I bought a Wilson tennis racket. They’re the only way to go.
- If you go to Hawaii, stay in Maui. It’s the only way to go.
Out of the way
Definition: be in a position to not prevent progress
- You need to stay out of the way of your kids when they are teenagers.
- Good bosses stay out of the way of their employees.
Swing both ways
Definition: to be bisexual
- Anna swings both ways.
- Some of the men at work swing both ways.
That’s the way the ball bounces.
Definition: sentence used to accept defeat, or not achieving something one had hoped to achieve
- I didn’t get the job. That’s the way the ball bounces.
- Don’t get depressed. That’s the way the ball bounces.
That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
Definition: sentence used to accept defeat, or not achieving something one had hoped to achieve
- Our football team last the game. I guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
- He wasn’t accepted into the program. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
That way
Definition: in love
- Peter and Tom are that way.
- Jason’s that way, but she doesn’t feel the same.
Two-way street
Definition: the same for both people
- Love is a two-way street.
- Never forget that your business associates are in a relationship with you that is a two-way street.
Way down
Definition: truthfully, the true feeling
- Way down he feels he should go back to university.
- I know she loves me way down.
Way off (base)
Definition: completely wrong
- I think your opinion of Tom is way off base.
- I was way off base about Mary. She really is a great person.
Way out
Definition: crazy, unbelievable
- That theory about UFOs is way out.
- Jack seems a little way out to me.
Way to go!
Definition: exclamation of praise
- I won the match. — Way to go!!
- Way to go, Tom! I knew you would get the job.
Today, let’s look at some English idiomatic expressions with WAY.
We usually use WAY when talking about direction.
- Which way is out?
- How can I find the way?
- Can you show me the way to the hotel or city centre?
However, the word WAY can be used in other ways in English!!
Here are some idiomatic expressions with WAY and common phrases.
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Idiomatic Expressions with Way
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in a bad way
Where somebody is sick or involved in an accident and injured the relatives will be anxious to understand how they are. Sometimes the news is not so good.
Example:
The doctor said he is in a bad way and it may be a few days before they know how sick he really is.
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all the way
We use it when we want to show support or understanding, it means that we completely support someone.
Example:
If you want to bring it up with Carol, I’m with you all the way.
to get his/her way
This concerns children usually but not always.
It means .to do what you want or to get what you want
Example:
Pauls’s daughter is spoilt. Every time she wants something she begins to shout. She is always getting her own way.
to be/get under way
to start something; to make progress with something
Examples:
All three defendants were seated in a thick glass box as the trial got under way.
Everyone was looking for a greater opportunity as the century got under way.
12 English expressions with way
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on the way out
going out of fashion, not in demand anymore
Example:
Skinny jeans are on the way out.
in a roundabout way
When someone does not tell you in a straightforward or direct way or takes a long time to get to the point, we can say that they have a roundabout way of saying things.
Or when something is not straightforward and simple
Example:
You can add new fonts to your mobile phone, but you have to do it in a roundabout way.
Don’t give up, scroll down for 6 more expressions with Way.
12 English expressions with way
to give way on something
to stop resisting and to agree to do what someone else wants
Usually, this refers to someone who might be a little stubborn and never compromises or accepts he/she is wrong. We can use it in a negative and in a positive way.
Example:
Michael likes to discuss and argue. He is good at debating but he is not always right in his views. However, even when he is wrong he will not give way on something and accept he is incorrect.
to change your way
to stop behaving in a certain way, to stop doing what we are doing and improve our attitude or manners
Example:
Moving abroad will teach you lessons and change your way of thinking.
to have a way with somebody
to have a talent for or skill in dealing with somebody
Examples:
Tracey has a way with animals, and our dog loves her!
Adam has a way with people, jokes with his customer and is almost always in good humour.
where there’s a will, there’s a way
if someone wants something very much, they will always find a way to make it possible. You can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Example:
Sarah really wants to learn how to draw, but she hasn’t got enough time to do it.
Well, where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’m sure she’ll make time.
to have it both ways
you have to choose something, you can’t have advantages from two contradictory things at the same time
Example:
But he can’t have it both ways. He can’t live with her and with you. He needs to decide.
that’s the way the cookie crumbles
it is what it is; something undesirable has happened, and things must be accepted the way they are
Example:
Sorry to hear that Manchester United didn’t get into Champions League next season. But hat’s the way the cookie crumbles.
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That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles meaning
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Have you ever lost your way in a new place or learned something the hard way? If you don’t understand these expressions, here are some everyday expressions with “way” I’m sure you’ll find extremely useful.
KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND
If you know your way around a place or organization, system, etc., then you are familiar with it.
- He seems to know his way around the IT industry.
- You don’t have to go with me. I know my way around.
BY THE WAY
This expression usually goes at the end of a sentence and can help you to introduce a new topic indirectly.
- By the way, Joanna called this afternoon and asked about you.
It can also go at the end of a sentence.
- If you stay in that hotel, you’ll be near us, by the way.
ON YOUR WAY
The expression “on your way” means going from one place to another.
- I’m on my way to the library.
- I’ll drop by to your place on my way to work.
IN EVERY WAY
In every way is an expression meaning in all ways.
- Online communication today is much better in every way.
- The two twins were equal in every way.
LOSE YOUR WAY
If you lose your way, then you become or get lost.
- I’m afraid I’ve lost my way on the island. Do you have a map?
- You can’t lose your way on the road if you have a satnav.
THE OTHER WAY AROUND
The other way around means the opposite situation or position.
- We are translating from Arabic to English and the other way around.
- People think that it rains more in England than in Germany, but it is the other way around.
LEARN SOMETHING THE HARD WAY
If you learn something the hard way, then nobody taught you but you have to learn it by yourself.
- Nobody taught Stephen how to code. He learned it the hard way.
- If you don’t listen, you’ll have to learn it the hard way.
A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY
A spoken expression used to say that a little effort can have great effects.
- If you want to get in good shape, a little bit of exercise here and there can go a long way.
- You will often hear that “a little kindness goes a long way”.
THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT
This is a funny way to say that there are more ways to achieve something.
- Our negotiations may have failed, but there is more than one way to skin a cat.
- We must think of a different approach to this problem. There must be more than one way to skin a cat.
GO BACK A LONG WAY
If two or more people go back a long way, then they have known each other for a long time.
- I’ve known Tom since high school. We go back a long way.
- I’ve been working with her for 15 years. We go back a long way.
ALL THE WAY
The expression all the ways means fully, entirely.
- Carol cried all the way home when they put her dog to sleep.
- I support our candidate all the way.
MEET SOMEONE HALFWAY
If you meet someone halfway, then you compromise with them.
- The company is ready to lower the price if we meet halfway on this.
- They will accept our suggestions if we’re ready to meet them halfway.
HAVE COME A LONG WAY
If something has come a long way it has improved a lot.
- Mobile phones industry has come a long way in the past few decades.
- Well, you became a manager. You’ve come a long way since your graduation.
HAVE A WAY WITH SOMEBODY/SOMETHING
If you have a way with somebody or something then you know how to deal with it.
- Sean has a way with children.
- Our dog always listens to him, He has a way with pets.
HAVE A WAY WITH WORDS
This expression refers to a person’s ability to persuade other people to do things their way.
- This car seller has just sold that old, broken car to that man. He has a way with words.
- Tom made a great speech. He has a way with words.
OUT OF THE WAY
When something is out of the way, it is far away.
- We went to a campsite which is out of the way but in beautiful natural surroundings.
- You shouldn’t go to out of the way places if you don’t want to get lost.
IN A BIG WAY
If you do something in a big way, then you do it to a large degree.
- Jane was fond of reading in a big way.
- My mentor helped me with my project in a big way. I’ll never forget it.
IN A SMALL WAY
The opposite of “in a big way” is ” in a small way”, meaning – to a small extent.
- I began to prepare for my English exam in a small way.
- We celebrated Samantha’s birthday in a small way, just the two of us.
HAVE IT YOUR WAY
Use this expression to tell someone that you agree to do things the way they want. We usually say it angrily.
- Sam tried to convince her that she’s wrong but then just said: “Alright, have it your way. I don’t care.”
- You can have things your way now but what will you do when it turns against you?
IT CUTS BOTH WAYS
If something cuts both ways, then it has both good and bad sides.
- Your proposal cuts both ways because although I’ll work closer to home, I doubt my salary will cover my expenses.
WAY TO GO!
This expression is used to tell someone that they’ve done something well.
- The pizza you’ve made is excellent. Way to go, Ellen!
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The word way can be used to talk about work, or to talk about sex. Do you know how to use way correctly? In this practical lesson you’ll learn 10 expressions using the word way, and hear examples of when each one can be used. These are very common expressions for native English speakers, and you’ll be able to use them correctly after this lesson! Learning expressions is a great way to become more fluent in English. Some of these expressions may surprise and entertain you!
SUBTITLES:
0:00:02 Hi again. Welcome to www.engvid.com.My name’s Adam.
0:00:05 Today’s lesson is aboutexpressions using the word «way».
0:00:10 Now the reason I decided to havethis lesson is because English is
0:00:14 a funny language, and it’s full of expressions,and for those of you who are studying English
0:00:19 and just getting into it, a lot of these expressionsand the contexts they are used in will be
0:00:25 completely unclear to you; very confusing.So I’m going to clear up some of these.
0:00:31 There are 10 here, you’ll beready to go after these. Okay.
0:00:37 A very common expression:»a two-way street».
0:00:40 Now, you know you’re driving, aone-way street means only cars…
0:00:43 Cars can only go one way; not theother way. But we use this expression
0:00:47 to mean a reciprocalrelationship.
0:00:55 This is a high-end wordfor those of you who need
0:00:57 it also, but it goes both ways. So if we havea relationship and only one person is making
0:01:03 the decisions, or only one person is givingopinions, or only one person is deciding where
0:01:09 to go eat every night, for example — that’s aone-way street. All the decisions, all the
0:01:13 ideas are coming from oneperson to the other.
0:01:16 A two-way street iswhen both people have
0:01:20 equal share in the relationship, equal responsibility,equal duties, etc., and both contribute to
0:01:27 their relationship. It’s a two-way street. Youcan think about when you’re talking about
0:01:32 your boss. If your boss is very tough andwhat he says goes, then it’s a one-way street
0:01:37 in terms of command.
0:01:39 But if your boss is friendly and listens to hisstaff, then he has a two-way street relationship.
0:01:46 «Get out of someone’s way»or «get out of the way»,
0:01:48 so one like very straightforward
0:01:51 according to the words means get out of theway. I’m coming through, move. Get out of
0:01:55 my way. Okay? Very, like the physical getout of the way. But you can also get out of
0:02:02 someone’s way, mean don’t put anobstacle in front of them. Okay?
0:02:07 I am going to be the President of America,and if you think you’re going to stop me,
0:02:12 I tell you: «Get out of my way», because nothing’s goingto stop me. I’m going straight to the White House. Okay?
0:02:17 So you better get out of my way, because Ifeel very sorry for you if you try to stop me.
0:02:22 But «get out of the way» has a differentexpression, that’s why I put these…
0:02:26 It’s a different expression, I put these inbrackets. To get something out of the way or to get
0:02:31 it out of the way, for example, you go touniversity, and I know in Canada, we have
0:02:36 to take certain courses. It doesn’t matterwhat we major in, what we study, some courses
0:02:41 we have to take. So, I studied philosophy,for example, but I had to take astronomy.
0:02:48 I had to take a science class. I chose astronomy.I figured, you know, stars, whatever, they’re
0:02:54 interesting, they’re pretty, why not? Right?So, what I did, my first year I took that
0:02:58 class and I got it out of the way. It’s tothe side, now I can continue doing what I
0:03:02 want to do, what I want to study. So to getit out of the way, finish it, put it away,
0:03:08 move on to the next thing.
0:03:10 Oh, «by the way», did I mention thatthis is another very useful expression?
0:03:14 «By the way» is probably the mostcommonly used of these expressions.
0:03:18 When you’re talking to someone andyou suddenly remember something,
0:03:22 or you suddenly thoughtof something that
0:03:24 is related to the idea or even not related, youcan say… You can stop, you can interrupt
0:03:29 the person, and say: «Oh, by the way, Isaw Suzie last week and she says hello.»
0:03:34 We’re talking about old highschool friends, I remember:
0:03:37 «Oh, yeah, Suzie, we wentto high school with her.»
0:03:39 I just remembered her in themiddle of the conversation, say:
0:03:42 «Oh, by the way»-itmeans I just remembered
0:03:45 -«I saw Suzie, she says hi. Okay,let’s continue the conversation»,
0:03:49 or talk about Suzie, whatever you want. It’sa bit of an interruption, but not rude.
0:03:54 It’s actually okay to use.
0:03:56 «Go all the way», this is a very good expression; a few meanings.Physically, you can go all the way to the end of street,
0:04:03 turn right, and be on your way.So «go», actually move
0:04:07 «all the way» meansthe full distance.
0:04:10 «Go all the way» means alsoto complete something.
0:04:13 You had an idea, you had a target, if you’regoing all the way, it means you’re not stopping
0:04:18 until you reach your target. So I’mgoing all the way to the White House,
0:04:22 so get out of my way if you’re trying tostop me. But a very common expression:
0:04:28 «go all the way», you will hear it in movies, youwill hear it all the time, slang, more casual,
0:04:34 it means have sex. So, you’re going… My friend’sgoing out with a girl tomorrow night, and
0:04:40 I think… And I say to him:
0:04:41 «You think you’re going to goall the way?» And he says:
0:04:43 «Well, I don’t know. I’m notsure if she likes me or not.»
0:04:46 I think we both understand, I think youguys understand what we’re talking about.
0:04:51 «To be in a bad way», so thenext day after my friend’s date,
0:04:55 I went to see him and hewas in a really bad way.
0:04:58 Why? Because he didn’t go all the way withhis girlfriend the night before. Okay?
0:05:02 «To be in a bad way» means to feel bad.It could be physically, like you’re sick,
0:05:08 or if you went drinking one night and thenthe next day you have a hangover, then
0:05:12 you’re in a bad way. You’re very rough, you’revery sick. Or if you broke up with someone
0:05:17 or if you lost your job, or if somebody, afamily member passed away, then you could
0:05:22 be in a bad way. You could be very upset,very bad condition. Okay? And so somebody
0:05:28 will describe you this way.
0:05:31 «To have a way with», Ishould put that «to»,
0:05:34 sorry about the squeak.
0:05:36 «To have a way», so somepeople have a way with words,
0:05:40 some people have a waywith other people,
0:05:42 some people have away with technology.
0:05:45 So, «to have a way with» meansto be very good at or with
0:05:49 something. So, a very good writer,of course, has a way with words.
0:05:54 He or she can expressanything they want,
0:05:57 they can do it very eloquently, verynicely, very interestingly, and people
0:06:01 understand they’re looking ata writer, at a real writer.
0:06:06 Obama, President Obama has a way withwords. He’s a very good speaker.
0:06:10 He knows how to move an audience.Okay?
0:06:13 «Way off», so if you want to guess about somethingabout me, then you’re… And you make something
0:06:21 completely wrong, not even close tothe truth, then you are «way off».
0:06:27 So, basically, we could say «way off»,and sometimes we say «way off the mark».
0:06:34 It means you have a target or you have a guess you want tomake, but you’re completely wrong, completely away from
0:06:40 the actual correct answer. «The mark»being the truth, in this case.
0:06:45 If you think of darts, you throw the darts and you haveto get the bullseye, the little red dot in the centre.
0:06:51 If you throw it like this and it goesto the wall, there, you’re way off;
0:06:54 you missed the mark.
0:06:57 «Make way». «Make way» basicallymeans move. «Make way».
0:07:02 Okay? «I’m comingthrough, make way!»
0:07:04 So I’m coming through a large crowd ofpeople, and I’m running, and I shout:
0:07:08 «Make way!» and everybody sortof parts like the Red Sea.
0:07:12 But «make way» alsomeans to progress.
0:07:15 So the boss comes to me and,like, my team, and he goes:
0:07:18 «How’s the projectcoming along?»
0:07:19 And I say: «Oh, you know,we’re making way.»
0:07:21 It means we’re gettingahead, moving forward.
0:07:25 «Way out there». So then, myfriend comes to me and he says:
0:07:29 -«Do you want to take a trip tothe Amazon Jungle next week?»
0:07:33 -«Okay, whoa, that’sway out there.»
0:07:35 It means I can’t even imaginethat, that’s a crazy idea.
0:07:39 Okay? Or it could just bevery, very imaginative.
0:07:43 My friend is way out there. He’s always… Hismind is in the skies. He’s never thinking
0:07:47 about reality; he’s always dreaming aboutdifferent things. He’s way out there.
0:07:51 A little bit crazy or a little bitimaginative, depending who you ask.
0:07:56 And last one: «be on your way».
0:07:59 If you go… This is a bit moreformal, but if you go somewhere
0:08:03 and, like, you go to a restaurant, and youand your friends are speaking a little bit
0:08:06 too loudly, the managerwill come and say:
0:08:10 «Excuse me, could youplease be on your way?
0:08:12 Could you please leave?» Okay?So: «be on your way», leave.
0:08:16 But if I call my friend and I say: «Hey, I’m on myway» means I’m now coming to you or to your house.
0:08:24 «Be on your way», leave. «Be onmy way», I’m coming over. Okay?
0:08:30 So, I hope you enjoyed some of these expressions.Very common. You will hear them regularly;
0:08:36 movies, talking to people on thestreet, books, newspapers, etc.
0:08:40 If you want to find out if you understoodthem correctly, go to www.engvid.com.
0:08:45 There’s a quiz there that you cantry your knowledge of these.
0:08:48 Ask me any questionsyou like in the forum.
0:08:51 And please subscribe to my YouTubechannel and visit me again soon.
0:08:56 Bye.
Idioms with “Way”. Common English Idioms. English grammar with exercises. Free eBook and Free printable PDF.
Idioms with “Way”
An idiom is a phrase or group of words that, when taken together, has a meaning that is different from that of each individual word. To put it another way: idioms cannot be understood literally.
Idioms are very important when learning English because they are used a lot in everyday communication and can help you sound more like a native. To speak and understand conversational English better, learning the correct use of idioms is essential. Idioms also help give character to the language; making it more colourful and interesting.
Exercises
EXERCISE 1.
Match the following expressions/verbs that contain the word ‘way’ with their meanings.
1. on the /one’s way a. to succeed
2. to have/get one’s way b. to make a special effort
3. to make one’s way in life c. remote
4. to pay one’s way in life d. to keep out of debt/pay your
share
5. to go out of one’s way to do something e. being engaged in going or
coming
6. out of the way f. to do/get what one wants
EXERCISE 2.
Using the above expressions containing ‘way’, complete the following sentences.
- It’s very kind of Matthew to always help me out with my rent, but I would prefer to be able to _______________________________________.
- Helen is such a helpful person. She ____________________________to help me when I’m busy.
- My husband and I are looking to buy a new house near where we both work but the problem is that for the amount of money we can afford to spend, the houses are all so _________________. I’ve never even heard of these towns.
- Even though Catherine is now 21 years old, she still acts like a child when she doesn’t _____________________. She stamps her feet and cries.
- I phoned John whilst he was _____________________ to work as I knew he always passed by the newsagent’s and I needed cigarettes.
- If you want to have a good career and __________________________,you have to work a lot and give the best of yourself at all times.
- ‘Steven, you can’t __________________________. Sometimes you must do what others would like to do.
- I hate going out with Claire – she never ___________________. I end up paying for everything.
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