思うように

思うように is an adverbial phrase meaning “in the way one desires/ hopes/ expects.” It is used to describe actions or results that match or fail to match one’s expectations, goals, or plans. It often accompanies verbs that describe progress, movement, or actions, and can convey both success (negative or positive) and disappointment depending on context. It emphasizes the degree to which something happens in the way one wants it to, rather than merely that it happens. Common collocations include phrases like 思うように動く/進む/いく and statements like 思うようにいかない to express that things aren’t going as hoped. Typical contexts include planning, progress reports, and expressing wishes or regrets about outcomes.