pan out
verb
panned out; panning out; pans out
: 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
Gary Neville
especially
: succeed
… the signs revealed that the experiment wasn't panning out … —Ronald Reagan
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
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
This means: • Exploring multiple customer segments • Testing various acquisition channels
• Piloting more than one product feature
If one initiative doesn't pan out, others can still gain traction.
—Vikram Joshi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Yes, Ware, just 21, could pan out, but the most recent image was of being played off the floor in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
If the results of the flight pan out, the plan is to work up to a suborbital flight by 2029.
—David Szondy
june 21, New Atlas, 21 June 2025
Unfortunately, the Giants' former first-round passer did not pan out.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pan out
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Vikram Joshi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Yes, Ware, just 21, could pan out, but the most recent image was of being played off the floor in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
If the results of the flight pan out, the plan is to work up to a suborbital flight by 2029.
—David Szondy
june 21, New Atlas, 21 June 2025
Unfortunately, the Giants' former first-round passer did not pan out.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pan out
Cite this Entry
“Pan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pan%20out. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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