FLASH IN THE PAN


Meaning of FLASH IN THE PAN in English

1. : the firing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece

2.

a. : a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing

b. : a person of brilliant promise but little ultimate performance or worth

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.