go the way of (something)

To follow the pattern seen with something else. It is most commonly used in phrases that emphasize decay and death, such as "go the way of the dinosaurs" and "go the way of all flesh." What am I going to do with my cassette collection now that cassette tapes have gone the way of the dinosaurs? You keep smoking like that and you'll soon go the way of the dodo. Considering that rotary phones have gone the way of the buggy whip, I'm amazed this thing still works!