1 pan
Pronounced:
/ˈpæn/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural pansMeaning:
[count] 1 a : a usually shallow and open metal container that has a handle and that is used for cooking or baking ▪ The rice is in a pan on the stove. ▪ Spread the batter evenly in the pan [=(Brit) tin] and bake for 40 minutes. ▪ a cake/loaf/roasting pan —see also frying pan, saucepan b : a container that is like a cooking pan that is used for holding something —see also bedpan, dustpan
2 Brit : 1bowl 2a ▪ a toilet pan
3 : steel drum
2 Brit : 1bowl 2a ▪ a toilet pan
3 : steel drum
down the pan
Brit informal 1 —used to describe something that is being wasted or lost ▪ It's just money down the pan. [=(US) down the drain] ▪ All my hard work went down the pan.
2 —used to describe something that is getting much worse ▪ The business is going down the pan. [=(US) going down the drain]
2 —used to describe something that is getting much worse ▪ The business is going down the pan. [=(US) going down the drain]
flash in the pan —see 2flash