Found 2 items, similar to Flash in the pan.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: flash in the pan
flash in the pan
n : someone who enjoys transient success but then fails
English → English (gcide)
Definition: Flash in the pan
Pan
\Pan\, n. [OE. panne, AS. panne; cf. D. pan, G. pfanne, OHG.
pfanna, Icel., Sw., LL., & Ir. panna, of uncertain origin;
cf. L. patina, E. paten.]
1. A shallow, open dish or vessel, usually of metal, employed
for many domestic uses, as for setting milk for cream, for
frying or baking food, etc.; also employed for various
uses in manufacturing.
“A bowl or a pan.” --Chaucer.
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2. (Manuf.) A closed vessel for boiling or evaporating. See
Vacuum pan, under
Vacuum.
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3. The part of a flintlock which holds the priming.
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4. The skull, considered as a vessel containing the brain;
the upper part of the head; the brainpan; the cranium.
--Chaucer.
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5. (Carp.) A recess, or bed, for the leaf of a hinge.
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6. The hard stratum of earth that lies below the soil. See
Hard pan, under
Hard.
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7. A natural basin, containing salt or fresh water, or mud.
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Flash in the pan. See under
Flash.
To savor of the pan, to suggest the process of cooking or
burning; in a theological sense, to be heretical.
--Ridley. Southey.
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Flash
\Flash\, n.; pl.
Flashes.
1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously
appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash
of lightning.
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2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a
momentary brightness or show.
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The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. --Shak.
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No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. --Wirt.
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3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a
very brief period.
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The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash.
--Bacon.
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4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring
and giving a fictitious strength to liquors.
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5. a lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a
photograph; as, to take a picture without a flash.
Syn: flashbulb, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun.
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6. Same as
flashlight. [informal]
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7. (Journalism) A short news item providing recently received
and usually preliminary information about an event that is
considered important enough to interrupt normal
broadcasting or other news delivery services; also called
a
news flash or
bulletin.
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Flash light, or
Flashing light, a kind of light shown by
lighthouses, produced by the revolution of reflectors, so
as to show a flash of light every few seconds, alternating
with periods of dimness. --Knight.
Flash in the pan, the flashing of the priming in the pan of
a flintlock musket without discharging the piece; hence,
sudden, spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing.
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