a flash in the pan可不是指「鍋裡的一道閃光」，它在美國口語裡指的是「曇花一現，轉瞬即逝」，多用來形容某人「紅極一時」或者某事「持續時間短」。
aflash in the pan英語解釋為a person or thing that attracts attention for a short time but is soon forgotten
我們看下例句：
A：He was a great singer in his day.His songs were heard in all the streets and lanes in the 1990s.
他曾是紅極一時的歌唱家。20世紀90年代他的歌在大街小可以聽到。
B：But he's only a flash in the pan.You know，the competition in showbiz is very fierce.
但他只是曇花一現。你知道的，娛樂圈競爭是非常激烈的。
與a flash in the pan意思相近的說法還有：
1、As a pop star he was a nine days'wonder：he only made one successful record.
他是個曇花一現的歌星，只錄製過一張受歡迎的唱片。
a nine days'wonder曇花一現的人或事物
2、The actress's popularity vanished as soon as it appeared.
那名女演員的人氣曇花一現。
3、Most of pop music singers were appeared for a short time.
大多數的流行歌手都是曇花一現。
4、I knew him in his best days.
我認識他的時候，他正紅極一時。
5、Time runs so fast./Time takes wings./How time flies.
轉瞬即逝。
6、A wonder lasts but nine days.
什麼事都新鮮不了多久。