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
This one needs more sourcing to pan out, but at least logically, there’s a lot about it that makes sense.
—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Most of the moves didn’t pan out, as Romano and Pomeranz were released, and Manoah, Lowe and Moncada have been busts.
—
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
And most recently, a host of free-agent relievers have failed to pan out in 2026.
—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Most of these phenoms pan out, but Harper absolutely has.
—
Zach Dean Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pan out
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Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Most of the moves didn’t pan out, as Romano and Pomeranz were released, and Manoah, Lowe and Moncada have been busts.
—
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
And most recently, a host of free-agent relievers have failed to pan out in 2026.
—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Most of these phenoms pan out, but Harper absolutely has.
—
Zach Dean Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 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 5 Jul. 2026.
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