pan out

verb

panned out; panning out; pans out

intransitive verb

: 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

especially : succeed

… the signs revealed that the experiment wasn't panning out …

—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

Synonyms of pan out

• prove

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

His signing of veteran Najee Harris didn’t pan out, and Monday’s return of draft pick Eric Gray to the practice squad doesn’t move the needle for the season’s stretch run. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

In the video, both Joanna and Chip could be seen wearing Princess Leia wigs, before panning out to show their 8-year-old son Crew dressed as a Stormtrooper. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026

Financial professionals can also address other assumptions that may or may not pan out. — David Chavern, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Whichever of the rumors and leaks pan out, this product showcase is bound to be just as big, if not even bigger, than Apple’s previous fall 2026 unveilings of devices like the iPhone Duo and Apple HomeView. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

pan entry 2

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pan out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

pan out

verb

: turn out sense 5

especially : succeed