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in the frying pan vs on the frying pan

Both "in the frying pan" and "on the frying pan" are commonly used phrases, but "In the frying pan" is used when something is inside the pan, like food being cooked, while "on the frying pan" is used when something is placed on top of the pan, like a lid or another object.
Michele A. profile picture

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 07, 2025 • 5599 views

in the frying pan

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to something inside the frying pan, such as food being cooked.

Use "in the frying pan" when describing something that is located inside the frying pan, like ingredients being cooked.

Examples:

  • The eggs are sizzling in the frying pan.
  • I can see the vegetables cooking in the frying pan.
  • There's a delicious aroma coming from the food in the frying pan.
  • My father wants to put him in the frying pan, but I don't allow him.
  • Mariois afraidthat his dad will take Maciste from him and cook him in the frying pan.
  • I will put rather my father in the frying pan!
  • ALL: He washed his face in the frying pan

Alternatives:

  • in the pan
  • cooking in the frying pan
  • frying in the pan
  • sizzling in the pan
  • simmering in the frying pan

on the frying pan

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to something placed on top of the frying pan, such as a lid or another object.

Use "on the frying pan" when describing something that is positioned on top of the frying pan, like a lid or cover.

Examples:

  • Please put the lid on the frying pan.
  • There's a cookbook resting on the frying pan.
  • He left his keys on the frying pan.
  • The residue on the frying pan was an agricultural product, used to anesthetize herds of animals.
  • He's on the back of the frying pan too.
  • You found her outside The Frying Pan.
  • There goes the frying pan theory.
  • He sure went from the frying pan to the fire.
  • There's plump rabbits waiting for the frying pan.
  • It's like out of the frying pan and into the volcano.
  • I station meself besides The Frying Pan, sir.
  • Polly Nichols is seen leaving The Frying Pan at the corner of Brick Lane and Thrawl Street.
  • Safe to say this is when the mission went from the frying pan into the fire.
  • So out of the frying pan, into the firehouse.
  • I'll need to scrub the frying pan again.
  • My father wants to put him in the frying pan, but I don't allow him.
  • Mariois afraidthat his dad will take Maciste from him and cook him in the frying pan.
  • Racing headlong from the frying pan into the fire.
  • I'm glad she got out of the frying pan before I wasted that much time on her.
  • But out of the frying pan and into the fire.
  • I'll gladly FedEx your worthless carcass... back to the frying pan, where Malebolgia will be waiting for both of us.
  • And the little friend of Nunheim's, the frying-pan juggler, there.
  • The frying pan's calling the kettle black!

Alternatives:

  • on top of the pan
  • covering the frying pan
  • resting on the pan
  • placed on the frying pan
  • sitting on the pan

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