1. A Project, person etc that enjoys only short lived success.
2. Something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning
Origin
This originally had a literal meaning, i.e. a real flash in a real pan. Muskets used to have small pans to hold the gunpowder charge. An attempt to fire the musket in which the gunpowder flared up without firing a bullet would be called a 'flash in the pan'.
origin, The term is known since the late 17th century. Elkanah Settle, in Reflections on several of Mr. Dryden's plays 1687, had this to say:
2. Something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning
Origin
This originally had a literal meaning, i.e. a real flash in a real pan. Muskets used to have small pans to hold the gunpowder charge. An attempt to fire the musket in which the gunpowder flared up without firing a bullet would be called a 'flash in the pan'.
origin, The term is known since the late 17th century. Elkanah Settle, in Reflections on several of Mr. Dryden's plays 1687, had this to say:
"although the group had a number one hit, it was only a one hit wonder making them a flash in the pan."
"If Cannons were so well bred in his Metaphor as only to flash in the Pan, I dare lay an even wager that Mr. Dryden durst venture to Sea."
"If Cannons were so well bred in his Metaphor as only to flash in the Pan, I dare lay an even wager that Mr. Dryden durst venture to Sea."
by johnny english2 January 23, 2007
Get the FLASH IN THE PANmug. Person 1: "Are you crushing on my girlfriend AND my brother AND my non-binary friend all at the same time?"
Person 2: *pan panic*
Person 2: *pan panic*
by Mr. LeggoMahEggo September 11, 2021
Get the pan panicmug. Hitting pan is a term used with make-up. It happens when product starts to run out and you can see the bottom of the container. Applies to shadows, blushes, and powders.
by theahills October 2, 2009
Get the Hitting Panmug. A method of post coital clean up involving a towel soaked in hot water.
See also: South American and Baghdad Maid
See also: South American and Baghdad Maid
by Bog-man July 29, 2016
Get the pan americanmug. by Mebish June 11, 2017
Get the Frying panmug. by jimmy marshall November 7, 2007
Get the pan breedmug. A commonly used form of foreplay which consists of the woman/man rapidly rubbing the underside of the man's penis, simulating the motion of frying something in a frying pan.
by Winchester Gecko January 11, 2008
Get the Pan frymug.