This expression means something which disappoints by failing to deliver anything of value, despite a showy beginning. The metaphoric saying alludes to the seventeenth-century flintlock musket, which could be fired only when the flash of the priming powder in the lockpan ignited the charge in the bore. When it failed to ignite, there was only a flash in the pan and the gun did not shoot.

Übersetzung:

Strohfeuer, Zufallstreffer

Gegenteil(e)

The opposite of "a flash in the pan" is "to be resoundingly successful".

Synonym(e):

You could also say: an effort that promises great success but fails.