that's the way the cookie crumbles

English

Alternative forms

• that's how the cookie crumbles

Pronunciation

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Proverb

that's the way the cookie crumbles

1. That is the way things happen; that's life. [from 1955]
   • 1955 February 2, “Dig This Man-⁠-The Craziest!”, in The Cincinnati Post, volume 74, number 16, Cincinnati, Oh., page 19:

     Are you up to par with the hep talk that is going around schools like Norwood High? […] While standing by the H2o spurt (water fountain) we overheard the following conversation between two really gone (neat) guys. “[…] It was a blind date, and boy did I flip (go mad) when I got a gaze at her! That dirty bird (guy that pulls a dirty trick) that fixed me up with her! I spent a whole chlorophyl George (one dollar bill) on her. Oh well, that’s the way the cookie crumbles (that’s life!) […]” (Taken from N. H. S. Mirror)

Synonyms

• that's the way the ball bounces
• that's the way the mop flops
• them's the breaks

See also

• shit happens