pan out
The phrase "pan out" originates from gold prospecting, where it referred to the process of separating gold from other materials using a pan.
Definition
B2General
(informal)To develop successfully or turn out as planned.
Example
- I hope the new strategy pans out and increases our sales.
- Their efforts finally panned out with a successful product launch.
C1Mining
(technical)To extract valuable minerals from dirt or crushed rock using a pan and water.
Example
- The prospector spent hours panning out gold from the riverbed.
B2General
To result or end up in a particular way, whether successful or not.
Example
- The project didn't pan out as we had hoped.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "pan out":
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