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
Then there’s the other side of it, while many NFL draft picks do pan out, even in the first round, there’s a significant number who never pan out.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Not a lot has panned out, though, this time around.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
By July of 2025, Asymmetric’s liquid fund had lost significant value, leading McCann to funnel investors into a new venture that failed to pan out.
—Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Though her political aspirations didn’t ultimately pan out, Ortega went on to find success in the entertainment industry by landing roles as early as 12, appearing on Jane the Virgin and Stuck in the Middle.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
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Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Not a lot has panned out, though, this time around.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
By July of 2025, Asymmetric’s liquid fund had lost significant value, leading McCann to funnel investors into a new venture that failed to pan out.
—Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Though her political aspirations didn’t ultimately pan out, Ortega went on to find success in the entertainment industry by landing roles as early as 12, appearing on Jane the Virgin and Stuck in the Middle.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2026.
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