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
Nothing panned out until late last year.
—Julia Coin
may 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
This film within a film is revealed with a pan out that shows another set, another crew — and Song directing all these actions.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
There were theories that 007 First Light could slide in as one of the sleeper hits of 2026, and, at least critically, that idea seems to be panning out.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Except none of the latter would pan out as Franny (and the director’s teenage self) aspired to.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
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Julia Coin
may 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
This film within a film is revealed with a pan out that shows another set, another crew — and Song directing all these actions.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
There were theories that 007 First Light could slide in as one of the sleeper hits of 2026, and, at least critically, that idea seems to be panning out.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Except none of the latter would pan out as Franny (and the director’s teenage self) aspired to.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 May 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 2 Jun. 2026.
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