to take place, happen, go, proceed, to expire
How is this all supposed to work?
— Reservoir Dogs - Wilde Hunde (1992)
Sagen Sie mir, wie diese Feier ablaufen wird.
Tell me how this celebration will go.
— The Flowers of War (2011)
Und wie soll das Geschäft ablaufen?
And how is the business supposed to work?
— Amores perros (2000)