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. [1913 Webster] 2. (Manuf.) A closed vessel for boiling or evaporating. See Vacuum pan, under Vacuum. [1913 Webster] 3. The part of a flintlock which holds the priming. [1913 Webster] 4. The skull, considered as a vessel containing the brain; the upper part of the head; the brainpan; the cranium. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 5. (Carp.) A recess, or bed, for the leaf of a hinge. [1913 Webster] 6. The hard stratum of earth that lies below the soil. See Hard pan, under Hard. [1913 Webster] 7. A natural basin, containing salt or fresh water, or mud. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show. [1913 Webster] The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. --Shak. [1913 Webster] No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. --Wirt. [1913 Webster] 3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period. [1913 Webster] The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] 4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictitious strength to liquors. [1913 Webster] 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. [WordNet 1.5] 6. Same as flashlight. [informal] [PJC] 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. [PJC] 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. [1913 Webster]