Definition of pan out in English:

phrasal verb

• 1Turn out well.

  ‘Harold's idea had been a good one even if it hadn't panned out’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Guess that plan didn't really pan out, but perhaps it would have succeeded if its masterminds used the power of rock to champion their cause.’
  • ‘I'm glad to hear this, and hope it pans out.’
  • ‘Even if stem cell research pans out in the next 20-30 years, human cloning won't even be an issue for a whole lot longer.’
  • ‘If this report pans out, maybe it will be a catalyst.’
  • ‘It sure looks like an audacious gamble, if it pans out.’
  • ‘It may be that none of this pans out, but I think it's partially a reflection of the fact that there are so few states that are really in play on either side.’
  • ‘I also told her that I'd be looking for full or part-time work shortly, so I'm hoping this all pans out.’
  • ‘If this pans out, it really is an outrageous piece of political malice.’
  • ‘I'm still waiting to hear back from the other online job I applied for, but I'm hoping that pans out as well.’
  • ‘I'm holding off on further details until we see if this pans out, but I have it from a very good source.’

  Synonyms

  succeed, be successful, work, turn out well, work out

  View synonyms

  1. 1.1End up; conclude.
     ‘he's happy with the way the deal panned out’
     More example sentences

     • ‘If the rest of the year pans out in the same way as the first seven months, his forecasts will be out by £11 bn to £12 bn, putting the golden rule in jeopardy however the Treasury chooses to calculate it.’
     • ‘We're biding our time to see how the radio consolidation game pans out.’
     • ‘The work will start again, and all being well it should be completed on schedule but we are waiting to see how the week pans out.’
     • ‘Before that, the game will pan out the way it pans out,’ he said.’
     • ‘Green, speaking to the Sunday Herald last night, said: ‘We'll just have to wait to see how it pans out this week.’’
     • ‘We'll follow the legislation and how it pans out.’
     • ‘Well, to be honest, I would wait to see how the whole inquest pans out before judging anyone on that issue, including the driver and the photographers.’
     • ‘How that pans out, though, that's going to be a mystery.’
     • ‘Well, we'll see how the media coverage pans out as well.’
     • ‘We are concerned about their level of training and powers they have been given, but we will have to wait and see how it pans out.’
     • ‘If it all pans out great, they'll really be able to crow.’
     • ‘But new demonstrations are called for today; we'll see how that pans out.’
     • ‘Anyway, we'll see how it pans out and who he chooses.’
     • ‘Anyway, we'll see how all that pans out in March.’
     • ‘I am interested in following how it all pans out for us.’
     • ‘I think it's going to depend very much on how the global economy pans out.’
     • ‘It'll be interesting to see how this one pans out.’
     • ‘It will be interesting to see how the role pans out.’
     • ‘It turns out to be a trap and the typical scenario pans out like this.’
     • ‘I shall see how it pans out and what I shall write in the near future.’
     Synonyms

     turn out, work out, conclude, end, end up, result, come out, fall out, develop, evolve

     View synonyms