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that's the way the mop flops

There is nothing we can do about the way things have unfolded, especially bad ones, so there is no reason to be upset about it. (A variant of the more common "That's the way the cookie crumbles.") I'm pretty gutted about not getting into the grad school program I wanted, but hey, that's just the way the mop flops.

See also: flops, mop, way

that's how the mop flops

There is nothing we can do about the way things have unfolded, especially bad ones, so there is no reason to be upset about it. (A variant of the more common "That's how the ball bounces.") I'm pretty gutted about not getting into the grad school program I wanted, but hey, that's just how the mop flops.

See also: flops, how, mop

flip-flop

1. To completely change one's opinion or stance. Primarily heard in US. The voters were tired of hearing the candidate flip-flop and felt they could not trust him to stick with one position. I used to hold a staunch view about the case, but then I flip-flopped after hearing the other side's testimony.

2. noun A complete change in opinion or stance. There have been several flip-flops among the candidates during the campaign, with some changing their stance more than once!

3. noun A thong sandal. Often used in the plural to refer to the pair. Don't forget your flip-flops when we go to the beach, or you'll have to walk on the hot sand barefoot!

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

flip-flop

1. n. a reversal. The president denied making a flip-flop. He said he simply forgot his earlier position.

2. n. the return trip of a long journey. (see also flip side.) Didn’t we chat on the flip-flop last week?

3. in. to change direction or intensity. Jed flip-flopped twice in the evening, leaving us where we started.

4. in. to waver in one’s decisions. Well, you just flip-flop all you want. I know what I want.

That’s the way the mop flops

sent. This is the way things happen.; This is typical of a random pattern of events. (Contrived.) Sorry to hear about that, but that’s the way the mop flops.

See also: flops, mop, way