A "flash in the pan" is success which begins suddenly and ends so quickly that it is like a "flash" of fire "in the" frying "pan". Example: "That was a great paper you wrote. Was it just a flash in the pan? or are you going to be able to do it again and again?" A person who is a "flash in the pan" rises to success suddenly and disappears just as quickly. Example: "What a great first year he had, but after that... nothing!" Answer: "Just another flash in the pan."