a flash in the pan

briefly successful or popular At first, some of the major record labels thought rock ’n’ roll was just a flash in the pan.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form no flash in the pan (successful or popular for more than a brief period): This trend is no flash in the pan.

a flash in the pan

something that happens only once or for a short time and will not be repeated We're hoping that this is a long-term opportunity, and not just a flash in the pan.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Kaja (1)	KAH-yah (Swedish, Estonian)	Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Estonian, Slovene
Anne (1)	AHN (French), AN (English), AN-ne (Danish), AHN-ne (Finnish), AH-nə (German), AHN-nə (Dutch)	French, English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, German, Dutch, Basque
Aubrey	['ɔ:bri]
Linnaea	li-NAY-ə	English (Rare)
Stern	[stə:n]
Finch	[fintʃ]