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
That projection wouldn’t pan out, of course, if enough millionaires left the city to avoid the tax.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
In a post on X Wednesday morning, Huffman acknowledged that the election did not pan out as hoped.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2025
The former undrafted rookie could receive life-changing money if things pan out his way.
—Ricardo Sandoval, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Those ideas have not yet panned out.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pan out
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.
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
In a post on X Wednesday morning, Huffman acknowledged that the election did not pan out as hoped.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2025
The former undrafted rookie could receive life-changing money if things pan out his way.
—Ricardo Sandoval, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Those ideas have not yet panned out.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share