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
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 
Synonyms
- come out
- fall out
- prove
- shake out
- turn out
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out the investment scheme didn't quite pan out
Word History
Etymology
pan entry 2
First Known Use
1865, in the meaning defined above
pans out
verb
1
as in proves
to come to be the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- proves
- turns out
- comes out
- shakes out
- evolves
- emerges
- falls out
- develops
- plays out
- works out
- unfolds
- germinates
2
as in succeeds
to turn out as planned or desired the investment scheme didn't quite pan out Synonyms & Similar Words
- succeeds
- works out
- bears fruit
- goes
- comes off
- catches fire
- goes over
- clicks
- delivers the goods
- delivers
- goes like clockwork
- does the trick
- catches on
- flourishes
- thrives
- prospers
- cooks
- percolates
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- strikes out
- washes out
- fails
- bombs
- misses
- founders
- collapses
- folds
- flops
- languishes
- struggles
- flunks
- flounders
- declines
- slips
- falls down
- sinks
- slumps
- wanes
- flames out
- crumbles
- skids
- crashes
- craters
- chokes
- cracks up
- misfires
- miscarries
- goes under
- implodes
- self-destructs