(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a sudden burst of light or of something shiny or bright.
A sudden ~ of lightning lit everything up for a second...
The wire snapped at the wall plug with a blue ~ and the light fused...
A jay emerged from the juniper bush in a ~ of blue feathers.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
2.
If a light ~es or if you ~ a light, it shines with a sudden bright light, especially as quick, regular ~es of light.
Lightning ~ed among the distant dark clouds...
He lost his temper after a driver ~ed her headlights as he overtook...
He saw the ~ing lights of the highway patrol car in his driving mirror.
VERB: V, V n, V-ing
3.
You talk about a ~ of something when you are saying that it happens very suddenly and unexpectedly.
‘What did Moira tell you?’ Liz demanded with a ~ of anger...
The essays could do with a ~ of wit or humor.
= burst
N-COUNT: with supp, N of n
4.
If something ~es past or by, it moves past you so fast that you cannot see it properly.
It was a busy road, cars ~ed by every few minutes.
VERB: V prep/adv
5.
If something ~es through or into your mind, you suddenly think about it.
A ludicrous thought ~ed through Harry’s mind...
VERB: V through/into n
6.
If you ~ something such as an identity card, you show it to people quickly and then put it away again. (INFORMAL)
Halim ~ed his official card, and managed to get hold of a soldier to guard the Land Rover.
VERB: V n
7.
If a picture or message ~es up on a screen, or if you ~ it onto a screen, it is displayed there briefly or suddenly, and often repeatedly.
The figures ~ up on the scoreboard...
The words ‘Good Luck’ were ~ing on the screen...
Researchers ~ two groups of different letters onto a computer screen...
The screen ~es a message: Try again...
A list of items is repeatedly ~ed up on the screen.
VERB: V up , V prep, V n prep, V n, be V-ed up , also V n up
8.
If you ~ news or information to a place, you send it there quickly by computer, satellite, or other system.
They had told their offices to ~ the news as soon as it broke...
This is, of course, international news and soon it was being ~ed around the world.
VERB: V n, be V-ed prep/adv, also V n prep/adv
9.
If you ~ a look or a smile at someone, you suddenly look at them or smile at them. (WRITTEN)
I ~ed a look at Sue...
Meg ~ed Cissie a grateful smile.
VERB: V n at n, V n n
10.
If someone’s eyes ~, they suddenly show a strong emotion, especially anger. (LITERARY)
Her dark eyes ~ed and she spoke rapidly.
VERB: V
11.
Flash is the use of special bulbs to give more light when taking a photograph.
He was one of the first people to use high speed ~ in bird photography.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N n
12.
A ~ is the same as a ~light . (AM INFORMAL)
Stopping to rest, Pete shut off the ~.
N-COUNT
13.
If you describe something as ~, you mean that it looks expensive, fashionable, and new. (INFORMAL)
...a ~ uptown restaurant...
You can go for a ‘rostrum’ system, which sounds ~, but can be assembled quite cheaply.
ADJ
14.
If you describe an achievement or success as a ~ in the pan, you mean that it is unlikely to be repeated and is not an indication of future achievements or success.
People will be looking in to see how good we are now and whether our success has just been a ~ in the pan.
= one-off
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR disapproval
15.
If you say that something happens in a ~, you mean that it happens suddenly and lasts only a very short time.
The answer had come to him in a ~...
It was done in a ~.
PHRASE: usu PHR after v
16.
If you say that someone reacts to something quick as a ~, you mean that they react to it extremely quickly.
Quick as a ~, the man said, ‘I have to, don’t I?’
PHRASE