flash in the pan

flash in the pan

Definition of FLASH IN THE PAN

1

: a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing

2

: one that appears promising but turns out to be disappointing or worthless

Origin of FLASH IN THE PAN

from the firing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece

First Known Use: 1706

Rhymes with FLASH IN THE PAN

Afghanistan, angry young man, arrière-ban, attention span, Baluchistan, bipartisan, catamaran, catch-as-catch-can, cavalryman, committeeman, deliveryman, dirty old man, Kalimantan, medicine man, newspaperman, orangutan, radioman, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, watering can