- flash
- [[t]flæ̱ʃ[/t]]
♦♦♦flashes, flashing, flashed1) N-COUNT: usu with supp A flash is a sudden burst of light or of something shiny or bright.
A sudden flash of lightning lit everything up for a second...
The wire snapped at the wall plug with a blue flash and the light fused...
A jay emerged from the juniper bush in a flash of blue feathers.
2) V-ERG If a light flashes or if you flash a light, it shines with a sudden bright light, especially as quick, regular flashes of light.Lightning flashed among the distant dark clouds...
[V n] He lost his temper after a driver flashed her headlights as he overtook...
[V n] He flashed his light into the boat and saw the fishing-line...
[V-ing] He saw the flashing lights of the highway patrol car in his driving mirror.
3) N-COUNT: with supp, N of n You talk about a flash of something when you are saying that it happens very suddenly and unexpectedly.`What did Moira tell you?' Liz demanded with a flash of anger...
When pursued, he made his escape with a flash of speed...
The essays could do with a flash of wit or humor.
Syn:4) VERB If something flashes past or by, it moves past you so fast that you cannot see it properly.[V prep/adv] It was a busy road, cars flashed by every few minutes.
[V prep/adv] ...the ball flashed across the face of the goal.
5) VERB If something flashes through or into your mind, you suddenly think about it.[V through/into n] A ludicrous thought flashed through Harry's mind...
[V through/into n] Those lines of Milton flashed into my mind.
6) VERB If you flash something such as an identity card, you show it to people quickly and then put it away again. [INFORMAL][V n] Halim flashed his official card, and managed to get hold of a soldier to guard the Land Rover.
7) V-ERG If a picture or message flashes up on a screen, or if you flash it onto a screen, it is displayed there briefly or suddenly, and often repeatedly.[V up] The figures flash up on the scoreboard...
[V prep] The words `Good Luck' were flashing on the screen...
[V n prep] Researchers flash two groups of different letters on a computer screen...
[V n] The screen flashes a message: Try again...
8) VERB If you flash news or information to a place, you send it there quickly by computer, satellite, or other system.[V n] They had told their offices to flash the news as soon as it broke...
[be V-ed prep/adv] This is, of course, international news and soon it was being flashed around the world. [Also V n prep/adv]
9) VERB If you flash a look or a smile at someone, you suddenly look at them or smile at them. [WRITTEN][V n at n] I flashed a look at Sue...
[V n n] Meg flashed Cissie a grateful smile.
10) VERB If someone's eyes flash, they suddenly show a strong emotion, especially anger. [LITERARY]Her dark eyes flashed and she spoke rapidly.
Syn:11) N-UNCOUNT: oft N n Flash is the use of special bulbs to give more light when taking a photograph.He was one of the first people to use high speed flash in bird photography.
12) N-COUNT A flash is the same as a flashlight. [AM, INFORMAL]Stopping to rest, Pete shut off the flash.
13) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something as flash, you mean that it looks expensive, fashionable, and new. [INFORMAL]...a flash uptown restaurant...
You can go for a `rostrum' system, which sounds flash, but can be assembled quite cheaply if you buy used equipment.
Syn:14) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR (disapproval) If you describe an achievement or success as a flash in the pan, you mean that it is unlikely to be repeated and is not an indication of future achievements or success.People will be looking in to see how good we are now and whether our success has just been a flash in the pan.
Syn:15) PHRASE: usu PHR after v If you say that something happens in a flash, you mean that it happens suddenly and lasts only a very short time.The answer had come to him in a flash...
It was done in a flash.
16) PHRASE If you say that someone reacts to something quick as a flash, you mean that they react to it extremely quickly.Quick as a flash, the man said, `I have to, don't I?'
Phrasal Verbs:
English dictionary. 2008.
