Origin of Phrases - F
Flash in the pan
Meaning: Something that shows great promise, then disappoints by being over too quickly.
Example: Ross Perot's political career turned out to be a flash in the pan.
Origin: Flintlock muskets have small pans to hold the gunpowder fuse. Sometimes the gunpowder in the pan would flare up without firing the gun. That would be a "flash in the pan".
Alternatively, Derives from the early gold prospectors who would literally see a flash of light as they panned for gold, but who would often fail to find the nuggets on closer inspection. See the related expression "pan out".