flash in the pan

listen to the pronunciation of flash in the pan
English - English
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.

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.

dramatic display that quickly fades into nothing; person who has temporary success but then fails
someone who enjoys transient success but then fails
flash in the pan

    Hyphenation

    flash in the Pan

    Turkish pronunciation

    fläş în dhi pän

    Pronunciation

    /ˈflasʜ ən ᴛʜē ˈpan/ /ˈflæʃ ɪn ðiː ˈpæn/

    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 which dies in the attempt, such as an explosion of priming in the lockpan of a gun, while the gun itself does not go off.
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