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
In our minds, the relative stability of cybersecurity stocks amid market turbulence is part of a broader, long-term trend rather than a flash in the pan.
—
Paulina Likos, CNBC, 18 June 2025
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
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Paulina Likos, CNBC, 18 June 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Flash in the pan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash%20in%20the%20pan. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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