A flash in the pan
Idioms & PhrasesMEDIUM
a brief, fleeting success that is unlikely to be repeated
A flash in the pan
Idioms & PhrasesMEDIUM
a brief, fleeting success that is unlikely to be repeated
Learning Progress
Examples
"The success of our school cricket team was a flash in the pan; next season was disappointing."
"That viral video was a flash in the pan — he had two weeks of fame and then nothing."
Mnemonic Trick
Origin: old muskets that flashed but failed to fire; remember a brief flash with no follow-through.
Cultural Context
Used to caution against reading lasting success into short-lived popularity.
Source: Idioms & PhrasesAdded: 11/13/2025
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