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 16, 2007
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
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 02, 2009
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 30, 2016
by Mebish June 11, 2017
by jimmy marshall October 22, 2007
Pan tostado is an expression that someone use when they want to make reference to the soldiers that work for free in the southern lands of the Caucasian Afghanistan. The expression can also be a reference to a journalist that is lost in the war.
by handledeeznuts333 April 19, 2022