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
But whether this is a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come is, like so much in this country, up for debate.
—
Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2025
Whether the spike was a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come, time will tell.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
Some economists have cautioned that the sudden demand for prompt engineers could be a flash in the pan, while other technologists have predicted that prompt engineering could soon evolve from a job title to a skill that is expected — or required — of desk workers.
—Morgan Smith, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
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
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Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2025
Whether the spike was a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come, time will tell.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
Some economists have cautioned that the sudden demand for prompt engineers could be a flash in the pan, while other technologists have predicted that prompt engineering could soon evolve from a job title to a skill that is expected — or required — of desk workers.
—Morgan Smith, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Flash in the pan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash%20in%20the%20pan. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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