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
At the end, a giant Rodrigo picks up the hospital as the camera pans out to reveal that the hospital is a diorama and Rodrigo is in the process of moving.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 May 2026
Entertainment Studios, which was renamed Allen Media Group in 2020 to reflect the company’s growing ambitions, including some that haven’t panned out.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
If David Ojabo doesn’t pan out, the Dolphins might be forced to lean on one of the rookies - Trey Moore, Max Llewellyn, Mason Reiger or Rodney McGraw — to play on early downs.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Except none of the latter would pan out as Franny (and the director’s teenage self) aspired to.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
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Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 May 2026
Entertainment Studios, which was renamed Allen Media Group in 2020 to reflect the company’s growing ambitions, including some that haven’t panned out.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
If David Ojabo doesn’t pan out, the Dolphins might be forced to lean on one of the rookies - Trey Moore, Max Llewellyn, Mason Reiger or Rodney McGraw — to play on early downs.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Except none of the latter would pan out as Franny (and the director’s teenage self) aspired to.
—Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 17 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 24 May. 2026.
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