in the way—
1. placed so as to be an obstruction or cause inconvenience:
- I can’t empty the bottle—there’s a piece of cork in the way.
2. (coll.) said of smb. being around:
- I’m glad, too, to see you here. One feels safer when you’re in the way.
3. in the manner:
- Broadband Internet brought about a shift in the way that people used their computers.
Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase in a way—
1. to a certain extent; in certain respects:
- He considers himself clever, and in a way he is justified.
2. = in the way 3:
- America’s government is designed in a way that attempts to ensure that all political groups have proportional representation.
on the way—
1. moving towards a place; approaching:
- My friends have not arrived yet, but they are on the way.
2. (of time) drawing near:
- Christmas is on the way; we are in November already.
3. (also: on the road) in good prospect of smth.:
- Once only a dream, artificial blood vessels are on the way to becoming reality.
4. (of a child) about to be born:
- We have four simply adorable grandchildren with another on the way.
5. (of a woman) pregnant:
- Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age, and will have a son. She is already six months on the way.
See also: in the road / on the road.