flash in the pan

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the powder flashed. [1913 Webster]

2.To break forth, as a sudden flood of light; to burst instantly and brightly on the sight; to show a momentary brilliancy; to come or pass like a flash. [1913 Webster]

Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch words of unnumbered struggles.— Talfourd.[1913 Webster]

The object is made to flash upon the eye of the mind.— M. Arnold.[1913 Webster]

A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in act.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]

3.To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out violently; to rush hastily. [1913 Webster]

Every hour He flashes into one gross crime or other.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

flash in the pan, a failure or a poor performance, especially after a normal or auspicious start; also, a person whose initial performance appears augur success but who fails to achieve anything notable. From 4th pan, n., sense 3 -- part of a flintlock. Occasionally, the powder in the pan of a flintlock would flash without conveying the fire to the charge, and the ball would fail to be discharged. Thus, a good or even spectacular beginning that eventually achieves little came to be called a flash in the pan.

To flash in the pan, to fail of success, especially after a normal or auspicious start. [Colloq.] See under Flash, a burst of light. --Bartlett. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Syn: Flash, Glitter, Gleam, Glisten, Glister.

Usage: Flash differs from glitter and gleam, denoting a flood or wide extent of light. The latter words may express the issuing of light from a small object, or from a pencil of rays. Flash differs from other words, also, in denoting suddenness of appearance and disappearance. Flashing differs from exploding or disploding in not being accompanied with a loud report. To glisten, or glister, is to shine with a soft and fitful luster, as eyes suffused with tears, or flowers wet with dew. [1913 Webster]

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; as, I'll be back in a flash. [1913 Webster +PJC]

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]

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]