flash in the pan
noun phrase
1
: a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing
2
: one that appears promising but turns out to be disappointing or worthless
Examples of flash in the pan in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In other words, the upcoming announcement could tell us whether Scorpio’s recent raises are more than a short-term flash in the pan.
—
Brett Owens, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Now Beck has a chance to prove the Hurricanes were not a flash in the pan.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
Now Milan need to show this is no flash in the pan.
—James Horncastle, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
But as Flores reports, that explosion turned out to be an orchestrated flash in the pan.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
As that project climbs, the full-length that followed it, which certified the singer-songwriter as more than a flash in the pan, is also enjoying a comeback of sorts across the pond.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Recently Osama bin Laden and musical flash in the pan Rebecca Black shared this rare honor (and she was gone by July).
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Aug. 2011
It was driven by costs climbing at Disney's domestic parks as well as a lack of attendance growth and this wasn't a flash in the pan.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
For now, the Yankees need to perceive his one great year as a flash in the pan and proceed cautiously.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
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Brett Owens, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Now Beck has a chance to prove the Hurricanes were not a flash in the pan.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2025
Now Milan need to show this is no flash in the pan.
—James Horncastle, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
But as Flores reports, that explosion turned out to be an orchestrated flash in the pan.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
As that project climbs, the full-length that followed it, which certified the singer-songwriter as more than a flash in the pan, is also enjoying a comeback of sorts across the pond.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Recently Osama bin Laden and musical flash in the pan Rebecca Black shared this rare honor (and she was gone by July).
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Aug. 2011
It was driven by costs climbing at Disney's domestic parks as well as a lack of attendance growth and this wasn't a flash in the pan.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
For now, the Yankees need to perceive his one great year as a flash in the pan and proceed cautiously.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Flash in the pan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash%20in%20the%20pan. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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