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
Trump's promise that Mexico would pay for it never did pan out.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Cooper’s efforts last year to put the property on Airbnb didn’t pan out, either.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
But think of this as a guide to how the tournament might pan out, rather than a deeply serious prediction.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
No matter how the MVP chase pans out, the Spurs expect Wembanyama to continue to trigger the league’s most egalitarian offense.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
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Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Cooper’s efforts last year to put the property on Airbnb didn’t pan out, either.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
But think of this as a guide to how the tournament might pan out, rather than a deeply serious prediction.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
No matter how the MVP chase pans out, the Spurs expect Wembanyama to continue to trigger the league’s most egalitarian offense.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2026
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 9 Apr. 2026.
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