“flash in the pan”
Something that shows great promise or achieves sudden success but quickly fades and amounts to nothing lasting. The phrase originates from old flintlock muskets, where a spark in the pan sometimes failed to ignite the main charge, producing a flash but no shot. Listen to how native speakers pronounce "flash in the pan" in the video clips below.
Hear how "flash in the pan" sounds in real speech — 1,000 examples from 9 videos, movies, and TV shows. Sources: Lucifer, Suit, The Simpsons, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Theo Von and 3 more.
1,000
clips found
9
videos
Examples in video
YouTubeAmelia Dimoldenberg973K views · 2025-03-04
AMELIA REPORTING AT THE OSCARS | Timothée Chalamet, Fernanda Torres, Mikey Madison & More
“flash in the pan I was going to say that”
yeah remove it did we go viral or a … I won't bring up the b word with you
Play at 0:30
YouTubeTheo Von1.5M views · 2023-02-14
Lainey Wilson | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #430
“flash in the pan and I'm not I'm not”
want longevity I don't want to just be a … doing that so you couldn't be I don't
Play at 1:19:06
YouTubeThe Plain Bagel139K views · 2019-03-08
Is a Bear Market Coming?
“flash-in-the-pan event as opposed to a”
10% or more but they are typically a … stain decline and obviously the 10%
Play at 1:59
TV ShowLucifer
Lucifer — S03E18
“a flash in the pan.”
The chemistry in there is just a... … Exactly. Mm.
Play at 3:16
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 3:16
YouTubeLex Fridman6.7M views · 2024-09-12
Gregory Aldrete: The Roman Empire - Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome | Lex Fridman Podcast #443
“So his was a flash in the pan.”
but still you should
put something in place. … It was, he had this spectacular
conquest in 10 years,
Play at 1:05:44
YouTubeLex Fridman14.1M views · 2023-11-09
Elon Musk: War, AI, Aliens, Politics, Physics, Video Games, and Humanity | Lex Fridman Podcast #400
“it's really a flash in the pan so far.”
So civilization has been around, … And why have we, why
did it take so long for,
Play at 46:37
YouTubeThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert306K views · 2025-12-05
How "Weird Al" Went From Working In The Mailroom To Selling Out Madison Square Garden
“I'M NOT A FLASH IN THE PAN.”
WHAT'S THE MOMENT LIKE THIS
COULD BE MY CAREER? … >> Weird Al: IT'S RIGHT
BEFORE I WALKED OUT TONIGHT.
Play at 3:42
TV ShowLucifer
Lucifer — S03E18
“A completely hot flash in the pan.”
Exactly. Mm. … Lucifer, what you and Chloe have is on a total other level.
Play at 3:19
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 3:19
TV ShowSuit
Suit — S03E12
“Angry is just
a flash in the pan.”
I'm not angry. … My outrage is here to stay,
Play at 13:24
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 13:24
TV ShowThe Simpsons
The Simpsons — S02E07
“for every flash in the pan
cartoon character”
You start building a balloon … you'll turn the parade
into a farce.
Play at 2:45
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 2:45