cookie

That's the way the ball bounces. and That's the way the cookie crumbles.; That's the way the mop flops.

Prov. You cannot control everything that happens to you.; You should accept the bad things that happen. Bill: I bought a hundred lottery tickets this week, but I still didn't win! Alan: That's the way the ball bounces. I was planning to have fun on my vacation, but I've been sick the whole time. I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles. That's tough, but that's the way the mop flops.

See also: ball, bounce, way

tough cookie

a person who is difficult to deal with. He's a tough cookie, but I can handle him. There was a tough cookie in here this morning who demanded to see the manager.

See also: tough

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a smart cookie  (American)

someone who is clever and good at dealing with difficult situations If anyone can make this company succeed, it's Kathy - she's one smart cookie.

See also: smart

a tough cookie  (American & Australian informal)

someone who is very determined to do what they want and who usually succeeds even in difficult situations We're talking about a woman who brought up six children on her own - she's one tough cookie.

See also: tough

cookie-cutter  (American)

a cookie-cutter building or plan is exactly similar to many others of the same type (always before noun) The architects were determined that it wouldn't be just another cookie-cutter mall. Management too often uses a cookie-cutter approach to solving problems.

That's the way the cookie crumbles.  (British, American & Australian informal) also That's the way the ball bounces. (American informal)

something that you say which means that bad things sometimes happen and there is nothing you can do to prevent it, so it is not worth becoming upset about it I can't believe they chose Sam for the job and not me. Ah well, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

See be laughing all the way to the bank, one way or the other, There's more than one way to skin a cat, claw your way back from, know which way to turn, open the way for, pave the way for, pay its way, pay way, point the way, see which way the cat jumps, see your way to, smooth the way for, wing way, see which way the wind is blowing

See also: crumble, way