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Definition 2024

flash_in_the_pan

flash in the pan

English

Noun

flash in the pan ‎(plural flashes in the pan)

(idiomatic) A transient occurrence with no long-term effect.
The concept turned out to be merely a flash in the pan and is no longer used.
(idiomatic) A career notable for early success not followed by significant accomplishment.
He was named best new director of 1940, but his career was a flash in the pan.

For usage examples of this term, see Citations:flash in the pan.

Translations

transient occurrence with no long-term effect

Chinese:
Mandarin: 曇花一現 (zh)
Dumbea: fx9s
French: feu de paille (fr) m
German: Strohfeuer (de) n

Italian: fuoco di paglia (it) m
Irish gal soip f, rith searraigh m
Portuguese: fogo de palha m

Etymology

From the days of flintlock firearms, where the main charge was intended to be fired by a small charge of gunpowder in the priming pan. If the resultant fire did not pass through the touch-hole and ignite the main charge, the momentary coruscation produced noise and smoke, but no substantial effect, and was termed a “flash in the pan”. Sometimes called "fluff in the pan", the term refers to any ineffectual, short, spasmodic effort that dies in the attempt, such as an explosion of priming in the lockpan of a gun while the gun itself does not go off.