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 out …

—Ronald 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

Synonyms of pan out

• prove

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

If your preferred experience of reading crime fiction relies on knowing absolutely nothing about how things pan out, stop here. — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Separately, Shaman likened El Niño to a large burner on a stovetop, heating the atmosphere across a vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean and leading to more global heat extremes, particularly for next summer if current forecasts pan out. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Maybe some of those players — tight end Ben Sims, offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer, pass rusher Josh Uche and David Ojabo, and safety Zayne Anderson — pan out and become reliable starters for MIami. — Omar Kelly august 3, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026

Maybe the trio of prospects never pans out, at least not the way the Tigers hope. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

pan entry 2

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pan out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

pan out

verb

: turn out sense 5

especially : succeed