pan out

verb

panned out; panning out; pans out

intransitive verb

: to happen, end, or develop in a particular way : turn out
I'm really enjoying how this is all panning out now and it is so exciting and intriguing to watch and find out what happens next …Gary Neville
especially : succeed
… the signs revealed that the experiment wasn't panning outRonald Reagan
She [Dixie Hollins] noted that learning about arts and entertainment fills her creative side and works as a great plan B if her goal of working in the medical field doesn't pan out. Karin Davis-Thompson

Examples of pan out in a Sentence

the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out the investment scheme didn't quite pan out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Musk made a lot of other promises that haven’t really panned out: The Cybertruck was supposed to debut at less than $40,000. Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2025 On that ensuing penalty kill after the goal was questionably confirmed, the Canadiens had a scoring opportunity that didn’t pan out, and Joel Armia found himself with the puck below the goal line and blindly threw it into the slot expecting Jake Evans to be there. Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Many were excited about this potential after his success in college but things never panned out. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025 But at 19-35-8 — the league’s second-worst record — entering Friday night’s game against the Utah Hockey Club at the United Center, that plan clearly didn’t pan out. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pan out

Word History

Etymology

pan entry 2

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pan out was in 1865

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pan%20out. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pan out

verb
: turn out sense 5
especially : succeed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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