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
Though covetous of certain products, trends surrounding brands are often a flash in the pan, according to Casey Lewis, Gen Z consumer analyst and author of the viral After School newsletter.
—
Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2024
Since its introduction in 1994, Sony PlayStation has had a revolving door of mascots that have mostly come and gone like a generational flash in the pan.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2024
Whether these new shows will be the beginning of something greater, or just a flash in the pan, only time will tell.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
Will the camo hat be more than a folksy flash in the pan?
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2024
Consider if the APYs the bank offers are consistently competitive, or just a flash in the pan.
—Becca Stanek, theweek, 31 July 2024
These few centuries have been a flash in the pan: No ancient culture segregated science from the humanities.
—Shadi Bartsch-Zimmer, The Mercury News, 13 July 2024
For governments, as well as businesses and households, the hope is that the new dynamism doesn’t prove to be a flash in the pan.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune Europe, 10 June 2024
The generation weaned on the Uptown and Bad Boy classics navigated such strife with belittling humor, treating Cassie like a musical flash in the pan with an inexplicable hold on the more powerful men around her.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2024
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Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2024
Since its introduction in 1994, Sony PlayStation has had a revolving door of mascots that have mostly come and gone like a generational flash in the pan.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2024
Whether these new shows will be the beginning of something greater, or just a flash in the pan, only time will tell.
—Greg Engle, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
Will the camo hat be more than a folksy flash in the pan?
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2024
Consider if the APYs the bank offers are consistently competitive, or just a flash in the pan.
—Becca Stanek, theweek, 31 July 2024
These few centuries have been a flash in the pan: No ancient culture segregated science from the humanities.
—Shadi Bartsch-Zimmer, The Mercury News, 13 July 2024
For governments, as well as businesses and households, the hope is that the new dynamism doesn’t prove to be a flash in the pan.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune Europe, 10 June 2024
The generation weaned on the Uptown and Bad Boy classics navigated such strife with belittling humor, treating Cassie like a musical flash in the pan with an inexplicable hold on the more powerful men around her.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 17 Apr. 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 8 Nov. 2024.
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