1 B1 idiomatic informal
(Informal) To develop or result in a particular way, especially successfully; to turn out as hoped.
"We had high hopes for the business venture, but it never quite panned out the way we imagined."
inseparable
pan out
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To happen or develop in a particular way, especially as hoped or planned.
In plain English
Turn out to be successful or happen the way you expected.
What does "pan out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
(Literal, historical) In gold panning: for gold or valuable material to be found when washing sediment in a pan.
"After hours of work by the river, the prospector's efforts finally panned out — he found several large nuggets."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
From gold mining: panning sediment to see if gold emerges — if it pans out, you find gold.
Actually means
Turn out to be successful or happen the way you expected.
Usage tip
Derived from gold-panning — if gold panned out, you found something valuable. Usually used in contexts of plans, hopes, or predictions. Very common in American English; also used in British English.
Words that pair with "pan out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
plan idea deal career relationship investment
How to conjugate "pan out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pan out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pans out
he/she/it
Past simple
paned out
yesterday
Past participle
paned out
have + pp
-ing form
paning out
continuous
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