flashing
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flash
1. verb, slang To expose one's nudity indecently. There have been reports of a man in Central Park flashing tourists as they walk by. A: "Did you hear that someone got busted for flashing at the mall?" B: "No! I'm really glad I stayed home today." I hope that man gets help—he clearly has issues if he thinks it's OK to flash passersby.
2. noun, slang The sense of euphoria created by the use of a drug; a rush. The flash from that very first line of cocaine hooked me in an instant. I've been chasing that high ever since. Believe me, you're better off not knowing how drugs can make you feel. I wish I never had that first flash when I was a teenager. She's talking so fast that I think she's having a flash. Did you see her take anything?
3. adjective, informal Showy and attention-grabbing; stylish or ostentatious. Primarily heard in UK. He loves to wear fancy suits and drive to work in flash cars. She showed up to the party looking pretty flash. Mom, it's New Year's Eve—you should wear a dress that's a little flash.
flash across (something)
1. To move or appear quickly across something. When my headlights flashed across a deer in the middle of the road, I brought the car to a screeching halt. Fear flashed across Jason's face as he tumbled out of the tree. Anger flashed across the boss's face when I told him I was responsible for the printing mishap.
2. To quickly enter one's mind. An image of my keys on the dining room table suddenly flashed across my mind, and I remembered where I'd left them. Once the title of the song finally flashed across my mind, I blurted it out to the rest of the table. Please tell me that guy's name has flashed across your mind because I can't think of it at all.
flash around
To show or reveal something, often in a quick gesture. A noun or pronoun can be used between "flash" and "around." Oh yeah, Katie's been flashing around her engagement ring constantly since Tom proposed—it's so annoying. Every new parent has to flash around a picture of their baby, like it's some sort of rule. Dad, he flashed around a search warrant at us—we had to let him in.
flash back
1. verb To momentarily show or describe a past time or occurrence, as in a book, movie, or TV show. I liked that part when the narrator flashed back to all the times she had encountered the strange man before. Once the character flashes back to her childhood trauma, it really illuminates her present-day anxieties. When I started watching that show, they had already killed off Liz's boyfriend, so I loved when she would flash back to their time together.
2. verb To unexpectedly recall or re-experience something from the past. That particular smell always makes me flash back to my childhood. I don't know what that chemical smell is, but I just flashed back to my high school chemistry class. A: "Are you OK?" B: "I'm sorry, that song just made me flash back to times with my late husband."
3. noun An instance in which someone recalls or re-experiences something from the past. In this usage, the phrase is usually written as one word. That particular smell always makes me have a momentary childhood flashback. Mom and Aunt Judy are arguing again? Hoo boy, now I'm having a flashback to the fiasco that was last Thanksgiving. Would you guys hurry up? I just had a flashback to Mrs. Simon screaming at us for being late to class.
flash forward
1. verb To depict future events, as in a book, TV show, or movie. The show then flashes forward to connect the present and the future. Man, I could wish I could flash forward in my own life and know how all of this is going to work out before making a decision. What happens when the movie flashes forward to the year 3023?
2. noun A scene or instance in a book, TV show, or movie that depicts future events. In this usage, the phrase is often hyphenated or written as one word. The show makes use of flash-forwards to connect the present and the future. Did you see the flash-forward to their wedding? Ah! I cried. A: "Wait, why does she think her son is going to die?" B: "Oh, it was in a flash-forward with a psychic last season."
flash into view
To move or rise into sight, especially from a distance. We'd been walking for hours in the barren desert when a small town finally flashed into view. We were all very relieved to see the shoreline finally flash into view. The governor's mansion flashed into view as we drove up the road.
flash off
To abruptly turn or go off, as of lights. As the man laughed manically, the lights in the haunted house flashed off, and we all screamed. A: "Why did the lights just flash off?" B: "Ugh, the power must have gone out." Aw man, if the lights flashed off, I probably blew a fuse while running this machine.
flash on
1. To abruptly turn on, as of lights. As the man laughed manically, the lights in the haunted house flashed on, and we all ran out, screaming. I was worried the power would be out for a while, but the lights flashed on in less than 30 minutes. Thankfully, the overhead lights flashed on as I was feeling around for a flashlight.
2. To illuminate someone or something. I repositioned my lamp so that it flashed on the things I'd dropped behind my bureau. Dude, if that police spotlight flashes on us, we're done! I was startled when my headlights flashed on a deer crossing the highway.
3. slang To think of or recall something. It took some time, but we finally flashed on a solution to that problem. Please tell me you've flashed on that guy's name because I can't think of it at all. I need to flash on an offer they'll actually accept. How can I sweeten the deal for them?
flash out
To shine or glow from some thing or place. Hey, I can see the light of your phone flashing out from under the covers—go to bed! OK, my parents are definitely still up—I can see the light from their TV flash out under the door. Mom? The "check engine" light just flashed out on the dashboard.
flash the hash
slang To vomit. I felt so seasick out on that boat that I'm amazed I didn't flash the hash. When I had the flu, I spent most of the time flashing the hash. I'm so glad I can keep food down again! As soon as I realized I was going to flash the hash, I rushed off to the bathroom.
flash up
1. To flash very brightly and suddenly. The lightning had only just flashed up when the crack of the thunder boomed nearby. The car's headlights flashed up, signaling me that a speed trap was nearby. Mom? The "check engine" light just flashed up on the dashboard.
2. Of a computer notification or message, to appear on the screen very suddenly. By the time the warnings began flashing up on our screens, the reactor had already begun to melt down. A little message flashed up in the bottom corner of my browser telling me that I had won $1 million. Thank goodness your Instant Message flashed up when it did! I was so engrossed in this data entry project that I totally forgot we had an 11:00 meeting.
flash with (an emotion)
Of the eyes, to seem to convey a particular feeling or emotion with intensity. Callie's eyes flashed with anger when I accused her of cheating on the test. Of course John's interested in you—his eyes practically flash with desire every time he looks at you. Yeah, my mom knows you—her eyes flashed with recognition when I said your name.
See also: flash
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
flash back (to someone or something)
to return briefly to a view of someone or something in the past. (In films, literature, and television.) The story suddenly flashed back to Tom when he was a child. The story flashed back to Tom's childhood.
flash back (to someone or something)
to return briefly to a view of someone or something in the past. (In films, literature, and television.) The story suddenly flashed back to Tom when he was a child. The story flashed back to Tom's childhood.
flash into view
Fig. to move quickly into view. Suddenly, a doe and her fawn flashed into view. A bright parrot flashed into view and squawked raucously.
flash off
[for a light] to go off suddenly. (See also flash on.) The light flashed off and it was dark for a few minutes. When the lights flashed off, I was setting my watch.
flash on
[for a light] to turn on suddenly. The light flashed on and woke us up. When the light flashed on, I had just been getting to sleep.
flash on someone or something
[for a light] to shine on someone or something suddenly or in bursts. The orange neon light flashed on John's face, making him look quite strange. The light flashed on the window shade, startling the occupants of the room.
flash on something
Sl. to remember something suddenly and vividly. Then I flashed on a great idea. I was trying to flash on her name, but I couldn't bring it to mind.
flash out
[for a light] to shine out of something suddenly or in bursts. The light flashed out, signaling us to stay away from the rocks. Under the door, we saw a light flashing out. Someone was watching television in that room.
flash something around
to display something so everyone can see it. (Usually something one would hold in one's hand.) Don't flash your money around on the streets. She flashed around the pictures of her grandchildren every chance she got.
flash something up (some place)
to shine a light upwards toward something. Flash your light up into the tree. She flashed up her light at the cat in the tree. Gloria flashed the light up.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
flash back
v.
1. To undergo a change of scene to a previous point in time as a narrative device: In this chapter, the main character flashes back to her youth.
2. To remember or reexperience a previous point in time, usually suddenly: Whenever he hears sirens, he flashes back to his service in Vietnam.
flash forward
v.
To undergo a change of scene to a future point in time as a narrative device: The first scene of the movie shows a boy playing with a ball, and then the next scene flashes forward to the character's adulthood.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
flash
1. n. something suddenly remembered; something suddenly thought of. I had a flash and quickly wrote it down.
2. n. a very short period of time; an instant. (see also in a flash.) I’ll be there in a flash.
3. tv. to display something briefly. You’d better not flash a wad like that around here. You won’t have it long.
4. in. to display one’s private parts briefly. She flashed briefly, providing the show that people came to see, and left the stage.
5. n. a drink of liquor. Here, have a little flash, and let’s chat a little longer.
flash the hash
tv. to empty one’s stomach; to vomit. Dave left quickly to go out and flash the hash, I think.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.