frying pan
B1Neutral; common in everyday, domestic, and culinary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A shallow, flat-bottomed metal pan with a long handle, used for frying food.
Used metaphorically to refer to a difficult or troublesome situation (often in the phrase 'out of the frying pan into the fire').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to the utensil itself. Often contrasted with a saucepan, skillet, or wok based on depth, shape, and intended cooking method.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the US, 'skillet' (especially a cast-iron one) is a common synonym, often used interchangeably, though 'frying pan' is standard. In the UK, 'frying pan' is dominant; 'skillet' is understood but less common.
Connotations
Both are neutral. 'Skillet' may have a slightly more rustic or specific (cast iron) connotation in the US.
Frequency
'Frying pan' is common in both varieties. 'Skillet' is moderately frequent in American English but less so in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] + frying pan (e.g., grab a frying pan, use a frying pan, buy a frying pan)[Adjective] + frying pan (e.g., hot frying pan, heavy frying pan)Prep: in/into/with the frying pan (e.g., cook in a frying pan)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “out of the frying pan into the fire (from a bad situation to a worse one)”
- “to have a frog in one's frying pan (rare, meaning to be in a dilemma)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used in a literal sense; the idiom might appear in metaphorical discussions of risk.
Academic
Only in historical, cultural, or design studies of domestic objects.
Everyday
Extremely common in domestic and cooking contexts.
Technical
Used in culinary arts, product design, and materials science (e.g., non-stick coatings).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was frying-panning the mushrooms.
American English
- (Not commonly used as a verb in AmE; 'fry' is used.)
adjective
British English
- It was a frying-pan situation.
American English
- (Not commonly used as an adjective in AmE; 'frying-pan' is typically a noun modifier: 'frying-pan handle').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She cooked eggs in the frying pan.
- This frying pan is very hot.
- Heat a little oil in a large non-stick frying pan.
- He accidentally dropped the frying pan on the floor.
- Moving to that chaotic office felt like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.
- A well-seasoned cast-iron frying pan is a kitchen essential.
- The politician's attempt to deflect criticism merely plunged him from the frying pan into the fire of public outrage.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FRY-ing PAN: you FRY eggs in a PAN.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER (for food); SOURCE OF HEAT/DANGER (in the idiom).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'жарящая кастрюля'. The correct equivalent is 'сковорода'.
- The idiom 'out of the frying pan into the fire' translates to 'из огня да в полымя'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'kitchen pan' or 'fryer' (which is a deep-fat fryer).
- Misspelling as 'frying pen'.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase correctly uses 'frying pan' metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, especially in American English, they are often used interchangeably for a shallow pan with a long handle for frying. Traditionally, a skillet may have slightly lower, sloped sides.
A frying pan is shallow with sloped or low straight sides, designed for frying/sautéing with minimal liquid. A saucepan is deeper with high straight sides and a lid, designed for boiling and simmering liquids.
It describes escaping a bad situation only to end up in a worse one.
No, it is a noun. The verb is simply 'to fry'. Using 'frying pan' as a verb ('to frying pan') is non-standard and rare.
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