flash in the pan
noun phrase
1
: a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing
2
: one that appears promising but turns out to be disappointing or worthless
Examples of flash in the pan in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nor was that moment of Brazilian brilliance a flash in the pan.
—
Andrew Rice, New York Times, 9 June 2025
However, leaving the show on Monday evening, there was a strong sense that these surprisingly strong figures may not have been a flash in the pan.
—Ian King, CNBC, 22 May 2025
What all of this tells us is that the idea of company AI agent adoption is not just a flash in the pan.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Strong Fundamentals: Growth & Margins WRB isn’t just a flash in the pan.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
As to whether a rise in international defense stocks will be a flash in the pan, all three analysts said that this demand would persist, perhaps even for the next 10 years.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
But whether this is a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come is, like so much in this country, up for debate.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2025
Whether the spike was a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come, time will tell.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
Some economists have cautioned that the sudden demand for prompt engineers could be a flash in the pan, while other technologists have predicted that prompt engineering could soon evolve from a job title to a skill that is expected — or required — of desk workers.
—Morgan Smith, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andrew Rice, New York Times, 9 June 2025
However, leaving the show on Monday evening, there was a strong sense that these surprisingly strong figures may not have been a flash in the pan.
—Ian King, CNBC, 22 May 2025
What all of this tells us is that the idea of company AI agent adoption is not just a flash in the pan.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Strong Fundamentals: Growth & Margins WRB isn’t just a flash in the pan.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
As to whether a rise in international defense stocks will be a flash in the pan, all three analysts said that this demand would persist, perhaps even for the next 10 years.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
But whether this is a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come is, like so much in this country, up for debate.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2025
Whether the spike was a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come, time will tell.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
Some economists have cautioned that the sudden demand for prompt engineers could be a flash in the pan, while other technologists have predicted that prompt engineering could soon evolve from a job title to a skill that is expected — or required — of desk workers.
—Morgan Smith, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash in the pan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash%20in%20the%20pan. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share