“pan out”是源于实践场景、语义随语境延伸的非正式短语，其词源可追溯至19世纪中期美国淘金热（Gold Rush） 。当时淘金者使用淘金盘（pan）在溪流中筛选金砂，“pan out”字面意为“在淘金盘中筛选出（金子）”——若能筛出金子，便是“有好结果、成功”；若筛不出，则“结果不佳”。随着语言演变，该短语逐渐脱离淘金场景，从“筛选金子的结果”抽象为“任何事情的最终有较好发展与结果；任何事情取得进展；有成果；成功”，成为通用短语。
其核心语义分为两层：
一是积极义，“成功、有好结果”，侧重“经过努力后最终达成目标、取得成效”；
二是中性义，“（事情）发展如何、结果怎样”，仅客观描述最终状态，不预设结果好坏（可积极可消极）。
无论哪层语义，均强调“最终结果”而非过程，且短语本身为不及物动词短语，不能直接接宾语，这是考试中辨析该短语的核心要点。主语多为“计划、项目、关系、努力、决定”等抽象事物（如plan, project, relationship, effort），不能是人。
请看精彩例句：
The plan panned out.
计划取得较好进展。
Her decision to change careers panned out well—she now earns more and enjoys her work.
她转行的决定很成功——现在收入更高，也喜欢这份工作。
The company’s new investment plan didn’t pan out as expected—they lost nearly a million dollars.
公司的新投资计划未如预期般成功——他们损失了近一百万美元。
She studied hard for the exam, and it finally panned out—she got the highest score in the.
她为考试努力学习，最终有了好结果——她拿了全班最高分。
She hopes that the future life her husband claimed will pan out —becomes better and better.
她希望未来的生活正如她丈夫所宣称的那样终将有一个好结果——生活越来越好。
The diplomatic talks between the two countries panned out well, with both sides agreeing to reduce tariffs.
两国间的外交谈判进展顺利，双方均同意降低关税。
He asked her out multiple times, and this time it panned out—she said yes to a dinner date.
他约了她好几次，这次终于成了——她答应赴晚餐约会了。
They weren’t sure if their long-distance marriage would pan out, but after two years, they’re still happy.
他们不确定异地婚姻能否维系，，但两年后，他们依然很幸福。
He tried to be friends with his new colleague, but it didn’t pan out—they had nothing in common.
他试图和新同事做朋友，但没成功——他们毫无共同之处。
The military operation panned out better than planned, capturing all the target suspects without casualties.
军事行动比计划的更成功，抓获了所有目标嫌疑人且无人员伤亡。
The government’s new policy to reduce unemployment hasn’t panned out yet—we need more time to see the effect.
政府降低失业率的新政策尚未见成效——我们需要更多时间观察效果。
Her plan to start a small bakery panned out surprisingly well—she now has three branches in the city.
她开小面包店的计划意外成功——现在她在城里有三家分店了。
He spent months preparing for the competition, and it finally panned out—he won the first prize.
他花了数月准备比赛，最终成功了——他获得了一等奖。
They met at a party and went on a few casual dates; neither was sure if it would pan out, but now they’re in a serious relationship.他们在派对上相识，约了几次轻松的约会；起初都不确定能否发展下去，但现在已是稳定的恋爱关系。
Before getting engaged, they talked about their future plans extensively to make sure their marriage would pan out—they didn’t want to rush into it.
订婚之前，他们详细讨论了未来计划，确保婚姻能顺利发展——不想仓促决定。
He tried to win her back by planning a romantic trip, but it didn’t pan out—she had already decided to move on.
他计划了一场浪漫旅行试图挽回她，但没成功——她已经决定向前看了。
I wasn’t sure if our friendship would pan out after that fight, but Bryce came to apologize, and now we’re closer than ever.
那次吵架后，我不确定我们的友谊能否继续下去，但布莱斯来道歉了，现在我们比以前更亲近了。《怦然心动》
She spent months practicing the dance, and it finally panned out—she was chosen to perform at the opening ceremony.
她花了数月练习这支舞蹈，最终成功了——她被选中在开幕式上表演。(2022年全国高考)
