Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

--How is the experiment getting on?
--That is the _____ it goes.
A. case B. need C. direction D. way

The answer is D.

What does the reply mean in this case?

Thanks

[pugachevV]

That's the way it goes is not the answer to the question, How's the experiment getting on?
There is something missing.
e.g.
BILL: How is the experiment getting on?
JOHN:I'm having a real problem with X, Y and Z, but that's the way it goes.

I would say you use the expression, "That's the way it goes" as a rueful comment when something is not going well.