How do you say “A flash in the pan” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is ein Strohfeuer, which literally means “a straw fire”. English speakers use a flash in the pan to mean a brief success that is not repeated or sustained. A close German image for excitement or success that quickly dies away. It can also describe enthusiasm that does not last. Register: informal. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural German
ein Strohfeuer
/aɪn ˈʃtʁoːfɔʏɐ/
- Literal meaning
- “a straw fire”
- Register
- informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
93 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
Straw burns quickly, which makes the image easy to remember. “Nur ein Strohfeuer” dismisses something as briefly impressive.
German often applies it to the success or enthusiasm rather than directly to the person. “Ihr Erfolg war kein Strohfeuer” says her success lasted.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context4 out of 5
- Literal similarity3 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
In context
English
Their first hit was a flash in the pan; the next album barely sold.
German
Ihr erster Hit war nur ein Strohfeuer; das nächste Album verkaufte sich kaum.
English
Her second gold medal proved she wasn't a flash in the pan.
German
Ihre zweite Goldmedaille bewies, dass ihr Erfolg kein Strohfeuer war.
Related expressions
Last updated 2026-11-04