in the way of (someone or something)

1. Obstructing someone or interfering in something. Ugh, the neighbor always puts his trash cans in the way of my car. She's so determined that I just know nothing will get in the way of her plans to finish her thesis. You can come into the kitchen to observe, but please try not to get in the way of my cooking.

2. Relating to a broad group or category of something. I don't think this store has much in the way of spices, unfortunately. I'm looking for something in the way of an SVU. How do you like yours? A: "There's not much here in the way of books I can use." B: "Yeah, because your term paper's due in a week, and your classmates have cleared everything out on the topic!"

in the way of someone

('s plans) Go to in someone's way.

in the way of something

as a kind of something; as a style of something. What do you have in the way of dress shoes? We have nothing in the way of raincoats.

*in someone's way

1. Lit. in the pathway of someone. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~; stand ~.) Don't get in Bob's way while he is bringing groceries in from the car.

2. and in the way of someone('s plans) Fig. interfering with a person in the pursuit of plans or intentions; hindering someone's plans. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; Stand ~.) I am going to leave home. Please don't get in my way. She intends to become a lawyer and no one had better get in her way. I would never get into the way of her plans.

in someone's (or something's) way

and in the way of someone or something

Fig. in the pathway or movement of someone or something. Don't get in my way. That car is in the way of the bus and all the other traffic.

a lot, not much, etc. in the way of something

a lot, etc. of something: We don’t do a lot in the way of exercise. ♢ Is there much in the way of nightlife around here?