flash1 verbflash2 nounflash3 adjective
flashflash1 /flæʃ/ ●●○ S3 verb 
WORD ORIGINflash1
Origin:
1200-1300 Originally (of liquid) ‘to strike a surface’; from the soundVERB TABLE
flash
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | flash |
| he, she, it | flashes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | flashed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have flashed |
| he, she, it | has flashed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had flashed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will flash |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have flashed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am flashing |
| he, she, it | is flashing | |
| you, we, they | are flashing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was flashing |
| you, we, they | were flashing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been flashing |
| he, she, it | has been flashing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been flashing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be flashing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been flashing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A police car sped through the intersection, lights flashing.
- Detective Mallory flashed his badge as he walked through the door.
- He flashed his membership card as passed through the door.
- Lightning flashed across the sky.
- Lightning flashed and thunder rolled.
- Two police officers burst in, the latter hurriedly flashing his ID card at her as they made their way upstairs.
- Why did that guy flash his headlights at me?
- He remembers thinking in amazement that his name also was being flashed on screens in thousands of other movie theaters.
- If it flashes heavily, turn it down.
- It's like she flashed a bright light in my eyes, and I have to look away.
- Muskets were swung as clubs, pistols were fired point-blank, and swords flashed and clanged.
- Returning workers flashed special identification cards issued by the union and walked in.
- When she took off her glasses the sun caught her eyes and made them flash like green torches.
THESAURUSto produce light
to produce bright light: · The sun was shining.
to shine brightly for a very short time, or to shine on and off very quickly many times: · Lightning flashed across the sky.· The police car’s lights were flashing.
to shine with a very strong light which hurts your eyes: · The sun glared in her eyes.
to shine with an unsteady light – used about a flame or light: · The candle flickered and went out.
if stars or lights twinkle, they shine in the dark in a way that seems to change from bright to faint, especially because you are a long way away from them: · stars twinkling in the sky· The harbour lights twinkled in the distance.
especially literary to shine with a warm soft light: · Lights glowed in the windows.
literary to shine very brightly: · The lights of the factory were still blazing.
let someone see to let someone see something, especially by holding it out in front of them: · Everyone has to show their identity cards at the entrance to the building.· Stephanie showed us her engagement ring.
to show something to someone very quickly: · ‘We’re police’, he said, flashing his card at us.· Miranda flashed a surprised look into the mirror.
especially spoken to show something to someone, especially so that they can examine it, repair it etc: · If the wound doesn’t get better soon, you should let the doctor take a look at it.· Mike’s good with cars – let him have a look.
especially written to let someone see or know about something that is usually hidden, or that you want to keep secret – often used about showing your feelings or private thoughts: · Suzy looked away quickly in order not to reveal her true feelings.· He lifted the lid of the box to reveal a small snake.
especially written to let someone see something that could not be seen before: · The receding tide had exposed huge expanses of sand.· The bear opened its mouth, exposing rows of sharp teeth.
Longman Language Activatorwhen light comes from the sun, a lamp, a surface etc if the sun, a lamp etc shines , it sends out bright light: · It wasn't very warm, but at least the sun was shining.· She could see the lights of Hong Kong shining in the distance.· A light shone in a window of one of the houses.shine in/on: · Could you move that lamp? It's shining right in my eyes.shine brightly: · The streetlights shone brightly and the sidewalks were filled with people.
to make a warm soft light that is not very bright: · The evening sun glowed in the sky.· A few lumps of coal still glowed in the fire.· The windows were glowing with a warm, yellow light.
to shine brightly, especially by throwing back light off a very smooth surface: · A Rolls Royce was parked outside, gleaming in the sunshine.· The floors gleamed, and the house smelled sweetly of soap and fresh air.· The old walnut dining table gleamed under the chandelier.gleam with: · On his left was the galley, a tiny kitchen gleaming with stainless steel.
to give off an extremely bright light: · The midday sun blazed down on us.· The windows of the cathedral were blazing with coloured light.· Lights blazed in every room in the house.
to shine brightly for a very short time, or make something do this: · Lightning flashed across the sky.· A police car sped through the intersection, lights flashing.flash something at/toward/into somebody/something: · Why did that guy flash his headlights at me?
use this about a weak flame or light that keeps becoming almost dark, so that it seems to be soon going to stop shining: · The candle flickered a few times and then went out.· The lights flickered; I wondered if we were about to lose our power.
if a light on a machine blinks , it goes on and off, especially in order to make you notice something: · When I got in, the message light on my answering machine was blinking.· The neon lights on the theater blinked red and blue.
to let someone see something to let someone see something, especially by holding it out in front of them: · Everyone has to show their identity cards at the entrance to the building.show somebody something: · Stephanie showed us her engagement ring.· Show me what you're hiding under the desk, Johnny.show somebody something: · You have to show the security guard your pass.show something to somebody: · Neil showed his Pokemon card collection to Harry.
especially spoken to show something to someone, especially because they have asked to see it: · Could you let me see the menu?· How would you feel if I wrote something about you, but I wouldn't let you see it?· Hold it up to the light and let me see what color it is.
also let somebody have a look British to show something to someone, especially so that they can look at it closely, for example in order to fix it: · At least let Mike take a look -- he might be able to help.let sb take a look at: · Let me have a look at your necklace. Perhaps I can fix it.· Take your shirt off, and let me take a look at that cut on your shoulder.
to show something such as an official document or ticket to someone in an official position: · Please present your boarding card at the gate.present something to somebody: · All passports must be presented to the immigration officer.
formal to take something such as a ticket or official paper out of your pocket or bag and show it to someone in an official position: · The man fired from the car window when he was asked by a police officer to produce a license for the weapon.· Failure to produce a valid insurance certificate may result in criminal prosecution.
to very quickly show something such as a ticket to someone when you are entering or leaving a place: · He flashed his membership card as passed through the door.flash something at somebody: · Two police officers burst in, the latter hurriedly flashing his ID card at her as they made their way upstairs.
formal to let someone see something that is usually covered or hidden: · The animal opened its mouth, exposing rows of sharp white teeth.· The receding tide had exposed huge expanses of sand.
to let someone see something that is usually hidden or that they did not know was there: · She lifted the lid of the box to reveal a life-size porcelain baby doll.· A medical examination may reveal evidence of dietary deficiencies.
WORD SETSaerial, nounairtime, nounAM, nounantenna, nounatmospherics, nounaudio, adjectiveband, nounBBC, the, beacon, nounbeam, verbBeeb, the, bleep, verbboom, nounboom box, nounBritish Broadcasting Corporation, nounbroadband, nounbroadcast, nounbroadcast, verbcable television, CB, nounCCTV, nounCeefax, nounchannel, nounclosed circuit television, nouncommunications satellite, nouncontrast, noundial, nounDJ, nounexposure, nounflash, verbFM, nounfrequency, nounham, nounHz, interference, nounjam, verbkHz, kilohertz, nounlinkup, nounlive, adjectivelocal radio, nounlong wave, nounloudspeaker, nounLW, mast, nounmedium wave, nounmegahertz, nounMHz, modulate, verbmonitor, nounmono, nounmono, adjectiveNBC, nounnetwork, nounnetwork, verbon-air, adjectiveover, prepositionpresenter, nounprogramming, nounquadraphonic, adjectiveradio, nounradio, verbreceive, verbreceiver, nounreception, nounrepeat, verbrepeat, nounrerun, nounrerun, verbroger, interjectionsatellite, nounsatellite dish, nounsatellite television, nounsaturation, nounscrambler, nounseries, nounset, nounshipping forecast, nounship-to-shore, adjectiveshort wave, nounsignal, nounsignature tune, nounsimulcast, verbSOS, nounsound, nounsound bite, nounsound check, nounstatic, nountelecast, nounTeletext, nountelevise, verbtelevision, nountelevision licence, nountelly, nountime signal, nountrack, verbtransistor, nountransistor radio, nountransmission, nountransmit, verbtransmitter, nountune, verbtuner, nountweeter, nountwo-way, adjectiveUHF, noununscramble, verbveejay, nounvideo, nounvideo, adjectivevideo jockey, nounvolume, nounwaveband, nounwavelength, nounwhite noise, nounwireless, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Red warning lights flashed on and off (=shone for a short time and then stopped shining).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES the desert with its strange twisted plants and its blinding light Suddenly, I had a blinding flash of inspiration. Quick as a flash (=very quickly) she replied, ‘That’s not what I’ve heard!’
Red warning lights flashed on and off (=shone for a short time and then stopped shining). the desert with its strange twisted plants and its blinding light Suddenly, I had a blinding flash of inspiration. (=show one very quickly)· He flashed his ID card at the guard and walked straight in.
(=smile quickly at someone)· Flashing me a grin over her shoulder, she got into the car.
(=a very small amount of humour)· She replied with a rare flash of humour.
(=a sudden good idea)· A sudden flash of inspiration came to him.
(=a bright light that appears suddenly for a very short time)· A flash of light caught his attention.
(=a sudden light from lightning)· Suddenly there was a flash of lightning and a roll of thunder.· A series of lightning flashes crackled overhead.
· Lightning flashed in the sky, and there was a loud crash of thunder.
Quick as a flash (=very quickly) she replied, ‘That’s not what I’ve heard!’ (=give a quick smile)· She flashed him a smile.
(=when you are very angry for a short time)· A businessman assaulted his wife and son in a fit of temper, a court heard yesterday.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Her eyes flashed across to the clock once again.· Newscasts of the chaotic minutes after the attack flash across nine video monitors.· A D-V flashed across, firing and missing.
· Isabel's eyes flashed back to his face.· When he had finished, he would flash back to the complete page and select a new subject for detailed examination.· Nonsense, flashed back Jack Sandner, the chairman of Chicago's Merc.· She flashed back to her discussion with Ted Wilkinson, reliving every moment in her mind.· I flashed back in a friendly way and we fled.· Little kids' grins flashed back at me: yes!· My mind flashed back to those nights in Marcus Small Ward.· Suddenly something she had heard her daddy read out from a newspaper flashed back to her.
· But the days flash by in a blur.· Maybe it was the swirling water, or a bird that flashed by.· Larger animals which are not subject to the whims of wind and current may flash by or come closer for a brief look.· Perhaps life was flashing by like a tape player speeded up.· The Envi poster flashed by, the woman's face laughing at me.· The shunting stopped and movement began to slow, the whiteness of the sign South Kensington flashed by.· Just a glance, flashing by, but I have time to see the accusation and hurt.
· It's getting dark, so the lights look extra pretty, flashing on and off.· The light in the front room flashed on.· It's a big white ambulance with a blue light on top, flashing on and off.· Lights flashing on and off in my head.· He walked towards the entrance; a fancy airlock system over which a large illuminated sign flashed on and off.· Visual images flashed on and off at fractions of a second to imprint themselves on the subconscious mind.· Dials and switches flashed on and off.· A red light flashed on, but there was no apparent sound.
· A tearful itch tickled my lids as spoked hangovers flashed past.· Had others pitied me as they flashed past.· The decades would soon flash past and, in these harsh commercial days, time matters.
· A friendly palm flashes up from the shadows, like a pink glove.· A Hindu deity with many arms flashes up on the screen.· Its red hour-glass flashed up at him as the spider swirled in the motion of the water.· Posi gave the warning - spacecraft approaching - and the screens flashed up the images.· The blade flashed up and down.· You half expect judges to flash up scores by way of a finale.· The screen flashed up a weapons menu, requesting operator input.· But it'd flashed up like neon in my head once or twice since then: Warning.
NOUN· Her body seemed determined to ignore the danger signals now at last flashing through her brain.· A video screen flashes scans of the brain.
· William Yes.. He flashes a card.· Returning workers flashed special identification cards issued by the union and walked in.· Eyes averted, coins clanked into the tin, there was no need to flash the identity card.· In all the confusion Guy Sterne had calmly flashed a credit card and whisked her away.· I flashed my supermarket loyalty card and was in.· When you flashed the Repo Man card I thought we'd been infiltrated.· They said that they were police and flashed white cards.
· The image of his face flashed past and together with it all the days of early summer, Jubilee summer.
· He threw it into a nearby fire, where it flashed brilliantly.
· Zak flashed a glance at the crew, saw me and gave me a thumbs-up sign.· She, who knew me well, understood and flashed a warning glance at me.· Lucy flashed a startled glance at him.
· Miller, obviously in charge, flashed a knowing grin.· Karen looks back and flashes a big grin.
· The image of his face flashed past and together with it all the days of early summer, Jubilee summer.· I sat down in the chair across from her and an image flashed into my mind.· Visual images flashed on and off at fractions of a second to imprint themselves on the subconscious mind.
· Perhaps life was flashing by like a tape player speeded up.· One's whole life did flash before one's eyes at the moment of death.· Her life had just flashed past her eyes and wasn't it dull?
· It's a big white ambulance with a blue light on top, flashing on and off.· Several dozen phone lights flashed continually on our telephone boards.· The furious lights would flash past and we would move into the middle again.· The sunlight struck the silver-plated candlesticks on the sideboard and sent stilettos of light flashing through the room.· With sirens wailing and blue lights flashing the red fire engine sped through the city.· When the lights are flashing the modem is receiving data; when they are dull the modem is in waiting.· Upon the dashboard of a black Cadillac sedan parked in a nearby side-road a green light began to flash furiously.· A string of colored Christmas lights flashed like jewels.
· The elements seemed very awesome. Lightning flashed again, brilliant as a fluorescent light.· More lightning flashed overhead, followed by loud thunder.· The lightning flashed again, but he was turning; the mutilated corpse was at the edge of his vision.· Duvall moved forward to fire again, but Rohmer held his arm - pulling him back. Lightning flashed outside again.
· But spirited Patsy flashed a look of encouragement at him.· She flashed me a look of astonishment.· Ma flashes Pa an amazed look.· I flashed the Monster a look of triumph and waited for the attention to begin.
· We go home at night to our hotel room, and the light on the phone is flashing with 50 more messages.· Glover thought he saw eyes flash out the clear message that he could stick this clipping up his wazoo.· These flashed their electric message through intervening night.
· My mind flashed back to those nights in Marcus Small Ward.
· As Britta watched, one of the three screens flashed blinding white as one of the three Counsellors was hit.· A video screen flashes scans of the brain.· Posi gave the warning - spacecraft approaching - and the screens flashed up the images.· Many seemed resigned to defeat as two huge television screens flashed the grim news from East Coast precincts.· Radar screens began flashing at the U. S. Capitol.· The screen flashed up a weapons menu, requesting operator input.
· The shunting stopped and movement began to slow, the whiteness of the sign South Kensington flashed by.· He walked towards the entrance; a fancy airlock system over which a large illuminated sign flashed on and off.· His shiny shoes pounded the sidewalks, and neon signs flashed the names of increasingly seedy nightclubs at him.· Warning signs began to flash that abuses could occur in the police investigation of serious crime.· But the warning signs are flashing before the league gets under way next week.
· Vic hoots impatiently at the barrier; the security man's face appears at the window and flashes an ingratiating smile.· The wiry Estrada flashes a partially capped smile as she gratefully recalls her first maquila job twisting electrical wires with latex-tipped fingers.· The engine fired on the fourth kick and he flashed her a victorious smile.· She flashes a crooked smile, the one she says makes her look like Popeye the Sailor.· Back on the ship afterwards, she flashed the smile one more time - and then whisked away to her own cabin.· Tia Flor confides to Yolanda, flashing her famous smile.· Catching Stella watching him he flashed her an extravagant smile.· He hands them over, and you flash an uncomfortable smile.
· She had scarcely finished clapping enthusiastically when she found him next to her, smiling and flashing his pearl-white teeth.· Two more of the creatures hovered around the craft, walking over the wings and flashing their teeth at the hysterical passengers.· She flashed her teeth at me.
· When she took off her glasses the sun caught her eyes and made them flash like green torches.· Blagg had tried a brief smile when Maxim flashed the torch on himself for identification, but didn't speak.· He flashed his torch up on to the walls and had another look at the barbed wire.· Up in the bows, one of the bureaucrats flashed a torch twice, waited five seconds and repeated the signal.· At intervals I wandered round the camp, flashing my powerful torch into the darkness.
· A sudden hiss came from the radiator and simultaneously the overheating signal on the dash flashed a warning red.· She, who knew me well, understood and flashed a warning glance at me.· Drivers are flashed a warning if their vehicles break an infra-red beam projected across the road.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► somebody’s life flashes before their eyesPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1shine [intransitive, transitive] to shine suddenly and brightly for a short time, or to make something shine in this way: - Each time I see one of these cocoons hanging from a tree, all of these marvels flash through my mind.
- Her body seemed determined to ignore the danger signals now at last flashing through her brain.
- It flashed through my mind that I was close.
- The image of the guard in his elaborate flowering prison flashes through her head.
- The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.
- The only idea that flashed through my head was that some one had broken into the house and was attacking Master Yehudi.
- The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.
- This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.
- But spirited Patsy flashed a look of encouragement at him.
- Zak flashed a glance at the crew, saw me and gave me a thumbs-up sign.
- I began to wonder what might be going through her mind.
- Over and over it ran through his mind.
- Perhaps more mundane thoughts went through her mind.
- The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.
- The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.
- The thought ran through my mind I heard chaos outside.
- This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.
- Who lived there and what was going through their minds?
Lightning flashed overhead.flash something into/at/towards somebody/something Why is that guy flashing his headlights at me? Red warning lights flashed on and off (=shone for a short time and then stopped shining).► see thesaurus at shine2pictures [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to be shown quickly on television, on a computer, or on a filmflash across/onto/past etc Images of the war flashed across the screen.3flash through somebody’s mind/head/brain if thoughts, images, memories etc flash through your mind, you suddenly think of them or remember them: The possibility that Frank was lying flashed through my mind.4flash a smile/glance/look etc (at somebody) to smile or look at someone quickly and for a short time: ‘I love this city,’ he said, flashing a big smile.5show something quickly [transitive] to show something to someone for only a short time: He flashed his identification card.► see thesaurus at show6news/information [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to send news or information somewhere quickly by radio, computer, or satelliteflash something across/to something Reporters at the scene flashed the news to their offices.7move quickly [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to move very quicklyflash by/past/through A meteor flashed through the sky.8eyes [intransitive] literary if your eyes flash, they look very bright for a moment, especially because of a sudden emotionflash with Janet’s blue eyes flashed with anger.9sex organs [intransitive, transitive] if a man flashes, or if he flashes someone, he shows his sexual organs in public10somebody’s life flashes before their eyes if someone’s life flashes before their eyes, they suddenly remember many events from their life because they are in great danger and might die11time passing quickly [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a period of time or an event flashes by or flashes past, it seems to end very quicklyflash by/past Our vacation seemed to just flash by.flash something ↔ around phrasal verb to use or show something in a way that will make people notice you and think you have a lot of money: He’s always flashing his money around.flash back phrasal verb to suddenly think about or show something that happened in the past, especially in a film, book etcflash back to From here the movie flashes back to Billy’s first meeting with Schultz. → flashbackflash forward phrasal verb if a film, book etc flashes forward, it shows what happens in the futureflash forward to The movie then flashes forward to their daughter’s fifth birthday.flash1 verbflash2 nounflash3 adjective
flashflash2 ●●○ noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a flash of lightning
- There was a bright flash of light as the bomb exploded.
- As annoying as hot flashes may be, remember that menopause is a temporary condition.
- I think people thought in the beginning I was going to be a flash in the pan, like Tiny Tim.
- If one of us goes through menopause, we all suffer a collective hot flash.
- The mints must be hard and dry for the best results and some produce, as I have seen, impressive flashes.
- The muzzle flash that accompanied their arrival came from inside the house.
- When a flash of lightning lit up the sky to the south we decided we'd better go now!
- With a terrible flash that all but blinded the onlookers the island vanished, around it the storm of magical energy.
Longman Language Activatordoing things quickly or happening quickly
doing things quickly or happening quickly , without taking much time: · She undressed quickly and got into bed.· It's important to realize how quickly this disease can spread.· Quickly fry the onions, then add the meat.
a quick movement or action is one that you do quickly or one that only takes a short time: · I'll just take a quick shower.· That was quick -- have you finished already?· I had to make a quick decision.be quick (=use this when you are telling someone to hurry): · You'll have to be quick - we don't have much time.
if you work, talk, or write fast , you do it quickly: · Don't talk so fast - I can't understand what you're saying.· We're working as fast as we can.
a rapid change, increase, or improvement is one that happens much more quickly than usual: · a rapid increase in the population· She made a rapid recovery after her operation.· Adolescence is a period of great and rapid change.
happening or done very quickly and without any delay: · Punishment of the protesters was swift and severe.· Swift fashion changes mean that the shop has to change its stock every six to eight weeks.
a speedy return, reply, reaction, etc is one that is done or made successfully, as quickly and efficiently as possible: · We are working to ensure the safe and speedy return of all the refugees to their homes.· Thousands of letters and telegrams arrived wishing Nikolai a speedy recovery from his surgery.
a prompt action, reply, delivery etc is one that is done without delay because quick action is needed: · A major disaster was prevented by the prompt action of the safety officer.· It is important to ensure prompt delivery of goods that customers order.
: meteoric rise/career achieving success extremely quickly and suddenly: · The film tells the story of Lee's meteoric rise from North Dakota radio singer to jazz legend.
if something happens at an alarming rate , it happens so quickly that it makes people very worried: · The Amazonian rainforest is disappearing at an alarming rate.· The number of people dying from lung cancer has increased at an alarming rate.
use this to say that something happens extremely quickly and suddenly, so that you almost do not notice what is happening: · He was gone in a flash.· In a flash Atticus was up and standing over him.· Joel slipped but was on his feet in a flash.
WORD SETSaccess, verbaccess point, nounaccess time, nounaccounting system, accumulator, nounadd-on, nounADSL, nounaffective computing, nounAI, nounALGOL, nounalias, nounANSI, anti-spam, adjectiveanti-virus, adjectiveanti-virus software, nounAPL, nounapp, nounApple, Apple Macintosh, applet, nounapplication, nounapplication software, nounarcade game, nounarchitecture, nounarchive, nounarchive, verbarray, nounartificial intelligence, nounASCII, nounASIC, nounASP, nounassembly language, nounasynchronous, adjectiveAT&T, attachment, nounaudit trail, nounautomate, verbautomated, adjectiveautomation, nounavatar, nounB2B exchange, nounB2C, adjectiveB2E, adjectiveBabbage, Charles, backslash, nounbackspace, nounbackup, nounback-up copy, bandwidth, nounbar code, nounBASIC, nounbatch, nounbatch processing, nounbaud rate, nounBerners-Lee, Tim, bespoke, adjectivebeta test, nounBig Blue, bioinformatics, nounbiometric, adjectivebit, nounbitmap, nounBlackBerry, nounbloatware, nounblog, nounBluetooth, nounBMP, nounbond certificate, book entry, bookmark, nounbookmark, verbbook of final entry, nounbook of first entry, nounBoolean, adjectiveboot, verbbootable, adjectivebootstrapping, nounbot, nounbotnet, nounbps, brain dump, nounbroadband, nounbrown goods, nounbrowse, verbbrowser, nounbubble jet printer, nounbuddy list, nounbuffer, nounbuffer, verbbug, nounbulletin board, nounbundle, nounbundle, verbburn, verbbus, nounbusiness continuity services, nounbusiness continuity services, button, nounbyte, nounCabinet Office Briefing Rooms, cable modem, nouncache, nouncache, verbCAD, nounCAD/CAM, nounCAL, nounCalifornia, nounCALL, nounCAM, nounCambridge, Capita, caps lock, nouncapture, verbcapture, nouncard, nouncathode ray tube, nounCAT scan, nounCBT, nounCD-R, nounCD-ROM, nounCD-ROM drive, CDRW, nounCD-RW, nouncentral processing unit, nouncentral processor, nounCGI, nounCHAPS, character, nounchat room, nouncheat, nouncheckbox, nounchip, nounchip card, CIM, CIO, clerical assistant, click, verbclickable, adjectiveclient, nounclient machine, client-server, adjectiveclient/server architecture, clip art, nounclipboard, nouncloaking, nounclock cycle, nounclock speed, nounclone, nouncluster, nounCOBOL, nouncode, nouncoder, nouncom, Comdex, nouncommand, nouncomm port, comms, nouncompact disc, nounCompaq, compatibility, nouncompatible, adjectivecompatible, nouncompile, verbcompiler, nouncompress, verbcomputer, nouncomputer (industry) analyst, computer-aided, adjectivecomputer-aided design, nouncomputer-aided manufacture, computer-aided manufacturing, nouncomputer-assisted, adjectivecomputerate, adjectivecomputer-based training, computer-generated, adjectivecomputer-integrated manufacture, computerize, verbcomputer-literate, adjectivecomputer modelling, nouncomputer science, nouncomputer system, computer virus, nouncomputing, nounconcordance, nounconfiguration, nounconfigure, verbconnect, verbconnectivity, nounconsole, nouncontrol, nouncontrol key, nouncookie, nouncoordinate, nounCorel, corrupt, verbcounter, nouncourseware, nounCPU, nouncrack, verbcrack, nouncracker, nouncrash, verbcrash, nounCroft, Lara, cross-platform, adjectivecross-posting, nounCtrl, nouncursor, nouncut, verbcutover, nouncyber-, prefixcybercrime, nouncybernetics, nouncyberpunk, nouncybersickness, nouncyberspace, nouncyberterrorist, nouncyberwidow, noundata, noundata bank, noundatabase, noundatabase management, database management system, data capture, noundata centre, data dictionary, noundata encryption standard, noundata file, data interchange format file, data mining, noundata processing, noundata protection, Data Protection Act, the, Dateline, daytrader, nounday trading, nounDBMS, debug, verbdecision support system, decode, verbdecompress, verbdecrypt, verbdefault, noundefragment, verbDel, noundelete, verbdeletion, noundeliverable, noundematerialize, verbdemo, verbdemonstration version, denial of service attack, noundeselect, verbdesktop, noundesktop computer, noundesktop publishing, noundestination site, dialogue box, noundial-up, adjectivedigerati, noundigicam, noundigital nervous system, digital rights management, digital wallet, nounDilbert, direct access, noundirectory, noundisaster recovery, noundisc, noundisinfect, verbdisk, noundisk drive, noundiskette, noundisk operating system, display, noundisplay, verbdistributed processing, Dixons, dock, noundock, verbdocking station, noundocument, noundocument sharing, noundongle, nounDOS, noundot-matrix printer, noundouble click, verbdouble-click, verbdouble density, adjectivedown, adverbdownload, verbdownload, noundownloadable, adjectivedowntime, noundown time, downwardly compatible, adjectiveDP, noundrag, verbdrive, noun-driven, suffixdriver, noundropdown, noundrop down, noundrop-down menu, nounDTP, noundumb terminal, dump, verbdump, nounDVD, nounDVD-ROM, nounEasdaq, noune-book, noune-business, nounECN, noune-commerce, nouneditor, nounedutainment, noune-fatigue, nounE-FIT, nounEFTPOS, nounelectronic, adjectiveelectronic bill of lading, electronic cottage, nounelectronic data interchange, nounelectronic funds transfer, nounelectronic invoice, electronic mail, nounelectronic media, electronic publishing, nounelectronics, nounelectrosmog, nounEllison, Larry, email, nounemail account, embed, verbencrypt, verbend-to-end, adjectiveenter, verbenterprise application integration, nounentry, nounEPROM, noune-publishing, nounequipment leasing, erase, verbErnie, error, nounerror message, nounescape key, Ethernet, noune-ticket, nounE-ticket, nounexecutable, nounexecute, verbexecution, nounexit, verbexpansion card, nounexpansion slot, nounexpert system, nounexport, verbextension, nounextranet, nouneye scan, nounF2F, adjectivefabricator, nounfactory preset, nounfatware, nounfeed, verbfeed, nounfield, nounfifth generation computer, file, nounfile manager, nounfilename, nounfile sharing, nounfile transfer, filing system, filter, nounfirewall, nounfirmware, nounfirst generation, nounfirst in, first out, nounfirst-person shooter, nounfive nines, nounfixed wireless, nounflash, verbflash, nounflash drive, nounflash memory, nounflatscreen, adjectiveflat screen, flip chip, nounfloor broker, floppy disk, nounfly-by-wire, nounfolder, nounfont, nounfooter, nounfootprint, nounforklift upgrade, nounformat, verbFortran, nounforum, noun404, adjectivefreeware, nounftp, nounfunction, nounfunctionality, nounfunction key, nounfungible, adjectivefuzzy logic, nounGame Boy, gameplay, noungamer, noungaming, noungarbage in, garbage out, Gates, Bill, gateway, nounghost, nounGIF, noungigabit, noungigabyte, nounGIGO, GIS, nounGlitter, Gary, global, adjectiveGLOBEX, nounGMS, nounGoogle, gopher, noungraphical, adjectivegraphical user interface, noungraphics, noungraphics card, noungraphic software, grid computing, noungroupware, nounGUI, nounhack, verbhack, nounhacker, nounhacktivist, nounhandshake, nounhard copy, nounhard disk, nounhard drive, nounhardware, nounhard-wired, adjectiveHawk, Tony, Hawking, Stephen, head, nounheader, nounhelp, nounhelp desk, nounhelp menu, help screen, nounHewlett Packard, hexadecimal, adjectivehigh-definition, adjectivehigh-level, adjectivehigh-level language, highlight, verbhome computer, home office, nounhome shopping, hookup, nounhook-up, nounhost computer, hot key, nounhot link, nounhot spot, nounHTML, nounhttp, hyperlink, nounhypertext, nounIBM, icon, nounICT, nounidentifier, nouniMac, nounimport, verbinbox, nounincremental backup, nounincubator space, industrial design, infect, verbinfected, adjectiveinformation exchange, information retrieval, nouninformation system, information technology, nouninfowar, nouninitialize, verbinkjet printer, nouninput, nouninput, verbinput/output, adjectiveinstall, verbinstaller, nounInstinet, Intel, intelligent terminal, interactive, adjectiveinteractive whiteboard, nouninterface, nouninterface, verbInternational Securities Exchange, nounInternet cafe, nounInternet Service Provider, interpreter, nounintranet, nouninvoke, verbIP address, nouniPod, nouniris scan, nounISDN, nounISP, nounIT, nouniterate, verbiTunes, iTV, nounJava, nounjob, nounjob bank, Jobs, Steve, joystick, nounJPEG, nounK, KB, keno, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkeyboard, verbkeyboarder, nounkeypad, nounkeystroke, nounkeyword, nounkilobyte, nounkit, nounkludge, nounknowledge base, Kraftwerk, LAN, nounlanguage, nounlaptop, nounlaser disk, nounlaser printer, nounlaunch, verbLCD, nounlight industry, nounlight pen, nounline printer, nounlink, verbLinux, nounLISP, nounlisting paper, listserv, nounload, verblocal area network, nounlog file, LOGO, nounloop, nounlow-level, adjectiveMac, nounmachine, nounmachine code, nounmachine language, machine-readable, adjectiveMacintosh, nounmacro, nounmagnetic disk, nounmagnetic media, nounmagnetic tape, nounmail, nounmail, verbmailbomb, nounmailbox, nounmailing list, nounmail merge, nounmainframe, nounmainframe computer, main memory, manual, adjectivemaximize, verbmegabyte, nounmemory, nounmemory address, memory bank, nounmemory card, nounmemory hog, nounMemory Stick, nounmenu, nounmessage, nounmetadata, nounmicro, nounmicrochip, nounmicrocomputer, nounmicroelectronics, nounmicroprocessor, nounMicrosoft, MIDI, nounmigrate, verbmigration, nounMillennium bug, minicomputer, nounminimize, verbmips, mission-critical, adjectiveMIT, mixer, nounmodel, nounmodel, verbmodelling, nounmodem, nounmodule, nounmonitor, nounMoore, Gordon, Moore's Law, nounmorphing, nounmotherboard, nounMotorola, mouse, nounmouse mat, nounmouse miles, nounmouse potato, nounMP3 player, nounMP4 player, nounMPEG, nounMSC, nounMS-DOS, multimedia, adjectivemulti-player gaming, nounmultiple applications, multiplexer, nounmultitasking, nounnagware, nounNasdaq, nounNASDAQ, Naseem, Prince, National Market System, nounNEC, nerd, nounnest, verbNetscape Navigator, network, nounnetwork, verbneural computer, nounneural network, nounneuroinformatics, nounnewbie, nounnew economy, nounNintendo, node, nounnoise, nounnotebook, nounnumber-cruncher, nounnumber crunching, nounobject, nounobject language, object-oriented, adjectiveOCR, nounOfex, nounoffice machinery, offline, adverboff-line, adjectiveonline, adjectiveonline catalogue, online updating, nounon-screen, adjectiveopen, verbOpen Group, the, open outcry, nounopen system, nounoperating system, nounoperation, nounoptical character recognition, nounoptical fibre, nounoption, nounorder, nounorganizing business, OSI, nounoutbox, nounoutput, nounoutput, verbover-the-counter dealing, over-the-counter market, over-the-counter share, over-the-counter stock, over-the-counter trading, overwrite, verbP2P, adjectivepackage, nounpacket, nounpacket-switching, nounpage, nounpage break, nounpalette, nounpalm phone, nounpalmtop, nounpaperless, adjectiveparallel data query, parallel port, parallel processing, nounPASCAL, nounpass-along, adjectivepassword, nounpaste, verbpasting, nounpatch, nounpause, verbPC, nounPC Card, nounPDA, nounPDF, nounPDF file, pen drive, nounPentium, peripheral, adjectiveperipheral, nounpersonal communicator, nounpersonal computer, nounpersonal electronic device, nounpersonal organizer, nounpetaflop, nounphishing, nounping, verbpiracy, nounpirate, verbpixel, nounplasma screen, nounplatform, nounplatform game, nounPlayStation, plotter, nounplug and play, nounplug-and-play, adjectiveplug-in, nounpointer, nounpop-under, nounpop-up, nounport, nounport, verbportable, adjectivepost, verbpost-industrial, adjectivePostScript, nounPowerPoint, nounprint, verbprinter, nounprintout, nounprint-out, nounprint preview, nounprocess, verbprocessing, nounprocessor, nounprogram, nounprogram, verbprogram file, programmable, adjectiveprogrammer, nounprogramme trading, programming, nounprogramming language, PROLOG, nounPROM, nounprompt, verbprompt, nounprotocol, nounPsion, pull down, nounpull-down, adjectivepull-down menu, nounpunched card, nounquantum computer, nounQuarkXPress, queue, nounqwerty, adjectiveRAM, nounrandom access memory, nounread, verbread only memory, read-only memory, nounread-out, nounread-write, adjectivereal-time, adjectivereboot, verbrecall, verbre-chip, verbrecord, nounrecord, verbrefresh, verbreload, verbremaster, verbremote access, nounremote control, nounremote working, nounreseller, nounreset, verbrespawn, verbretinal scanner, nounretrieval, nounretrieve, verbretry, verbreturn, nounright-click, verbrip, verbroad warrior, nounrobot, nounrollover, nounROM, nounRoute 128, nounrouter, nounroutine, nounRSI, nounRTF, nounrun, verbsalami slicing, nounSamsung, save, verbscalability, nounscalable, adjectivescan, verbscanner, nounscramble, verbscreen, nounscreen-based, adjectivescreen dump, nounscreensaver, nounscreen saver, nounscreenshot, nounscroll, verbscroll bar, nounscroll key, SCSI, nounSEAQ, search, nounsearch, verbsearchable, adjectivesearch engine, nounSEATS, nounsecurity rating, SEGA, self-healing, adjectivesend, verbserial port, server, nounserver farm, nounservice bureau, nounservice pack, nounSET, nounset-up, nounSFA, nounSGML, nounshareware, nounshift, nounshift key, nounshoot-'em-up, nounshopping bot, sig file, nounsilicon, nounsilicon chip, nounSilicon Fen, nounSilicon Glen, Silicon Valley, sim, nounSIMM, nounsimulation, nounSinclair, Sir Clive, single sourcing, skin, nounslo-mo, adjectivesmall office/home office, nounsmart, adjectivesmart bomb, nounsneakernet, nounsoft copy, nounsoftware, nounsoftware engineering, SoHo, SOHO, nounSonic the Hedgehog, sort, nounsoundcard, nounsource code, nounspace bar, nounspam, nounspeech recognition, nounspeech recognition software, speech synthesizer, nounspellcheck, nounspellchecker, nounspell-checker, nounspider, nounspider food, nounspim, nounsplit screen, nounspreadsheet, nounspreadsheet software, spyware, nounstandalone, adjectivestand-alone, adjectivestandby time, nounStarr Report, the, nounstarter pack, nounstart-up, nounstorage, nounstorage unit, store, verbstore-and-forward, nounstrategic information system, stream, verbstreaming, nounStreet Fighter, string, nounstylus, nounsubdirectory, nounsubroutine, nounsuite, nounSun Microsystems, sunrise industry, nounsupercomputer, nounsuperserver, nounsupport, verbsupport, nounswitching, nounsynchronous, adjectivesyntax, nounsynthespian, nounsystem, nounsystem administrator, nounsystems analyst, nounsystems programmer, system tray, nountab, verbtab key, nountab stop, nountag, nountag, verbtape, nountape drive, taskbar, nountechie, nountechnical support, nountechno-, prefixtechnocracy, nountechno-geek, nountechnophobe, nountechy, telecentre, nountelecommuter, nountelematics, nounteleprinter, nounteleworker, nountemplate, nounterabyte, nounteraflop, nounterminal, nountestdeck, nountext-to-speech, adjectivethird-generation, adjectivethird-party software, thumbnail, nountickbox, nountick box, nountime out, nountime-sharing, nountitle bar, nountoggle, nountoner, nountoolbar, nountoolbox, nounTOPIC, nountop-level domain, nountop ranking, nounTorvalds, Linus, Toshiba, Tottenham Court Road, touchpad, nountouch screen, nountrackball, nountransaction processing, transputer, nounTrojan horse, nountroubleshooter, nounTTS, Turing, Alan, tutorial, nounundo, verbuninstall, verbunique visitor, nounUnix, noununlisted share, unlisted stock, unrecoverable error, unzip, verbup, adverbupdate, nounupgrade, verbupload, verbupload, nounuptime, nounusability, nounUSB, nounUSB drive, nounuser-friendly, adjectiveuser group, nounuser interface, nounuser name, nounUS Robotics, utility, nounVActor, nounvalid, adjectivevalue-added reseller, vapourware, nounVDT, nounVDU, nounVGA, nounvideocard, nounvideo game, nounvideo snacking, nounviral marketing, nounvirtual, adjectivevirtual corporation, virtually, adverbvirtual memory, nounvirtual office, nounvirtual organization, virtual reality, nounvirus, nounvoice print, nounvoice recognition, wallpaper, nounWAN, nounWAP, noun-ware, suffixwar game, nounWAV, nounwearable, nounWeb 2.0, nounweb browser, nounweb crawler, nounweb design, nounweb development, web-enabled, adjectiveweb hosting, nounweb log, nounweb log file, wide area network, wi-fi, nounWi-Fi, nounwild card, nounwindow, nounWindows, Wintel, wipe, verbWiponet, nounwireless internet, wireless networking, nounWord, Wordperfect, word processor, nounworkspace, nounworkstation, nounWorld Wide Web, the, worm, nounWozniak, Steve, write, verbwrite-protected, adjectiveWYSIWYG, nounXbox, XML, nounY2K, nounYahoo!, zap, verbzip file, nounzombie, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY A flash of lightning lit up the night sky. a brilliant flash of lightCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES the desert with its strange twisted plants and its blinding light Suddenly, I had a blinding flash of inspiration. Quick as a flash (=very quickly) she replied, ‘That’s not what I’ve heard!’
A flash of lightning lit up the night sky. a brilliant flash of light the desert with its strange twisted plants and its blinding light Suddenly, I had a blinding flash of inspiration. (=show one very quickly)· He flashed his ID card at the guard and walked straight in.
(=smile quickly at someone)· Flashing me a grin over her shoulder, she got into the car.
(=a very small amount of humour)· She replied with a rare flash of humour.
(=a sudden good idea)· A sudden flash of inspiration came to him.
(=a bright light that appears suddenly for a very short time)· A flash of light caught his attention.
(=a sudden light from lightning)· Suddenly there was a flash of lightning and a roll of thunder.· A series of lightning flashes crackled overhead.
· Lightning flashed in the sky, and there was a loud crash of thunder.
Quick as a flash (=very quickly) she replied, ‘That’s not what I’ve heard!’ (=give a quick smile)· She flashed him a smile.
(=when you are very angry for a short time)· A businessman assaulted his wife and son in a fit of temper, a court heard yesterday.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Full awareness and memory returned in a blinding flash.· In a blinding flash, everything fell into place.· We'd only gone a short distance from the trees when suddenly we were hit by a blinding flash.· She was aware of a blinding flash of pain as he mastered her, and groaned weakly.· But something was telling her it was no slip - and then, in a blinding flash, she knew!
· There was a brief flash of white that could have been Faith, then nothing.· Theatrical characters are designed to be interpreted, but only in the brief flashes of performance.· As he left she caught a brief flash of sapphire from his head.· He enjoyed the brief flash of jealousy and the home comforts.
· Straightaway I went off and had a bright red flash put in across the front of my hair.· As they walked upstairs, there was a bright flash of lightning outside, followed by loud thunder.· Chen stood up, a cry coming to his lips as he saw the bright flash of a knife being drawn.
· The witnesses would say later that the searingly brilliant white flash seemed to last for several seconds.· Over 20, 000 residents are awakened by a brilliant flash of light and heat to find their city in flames.· Then, when it is all over ... Out of the darkness there came a single brilliant flash.· The brilliant flash of wing colours in the Butterfly House are alone worth a visit.· The water poured off the roofs in torrents, and thunderstorms rent the night skies with brilliant flashes of lightning.
· As annoying as hot flashes may be, remember that menopause is a temporary condition.· Credited with everything from obliterating hot flashes to relieving pain, soy is one of the current health-media darlings.· If one of us goes through menopause, we all suffer a collective hot flash.· Estrogen replacement relieves such symptoms of menopause as hot flashes and night sweats, reduces bone loss and relieves vaginal dryness.· But besides estrogen therapy there are no medical therapies known to stop the hot flashes and improve sleep.· Sleeping pills are not recommended for women who awake because of hot flashes.
· Both men fired repeatedly, guided by the occasional flash of a rifle ahead of them.· It never happened, despite occasional flashes and poignant near-misses.· Mark Bassey on trombone and lain Dixon on reeds Punchy and cogent music, with occasional flashes of humour.· A slight breeze picks up and you see only occasional flashes of distant lightning that still illuminate the whole sky.· Speelman has the reputation of being a very solid player with occasional flashes of mercurial originality and brilliance.
· The days of numbing despair had been reduced to quick flashes of temper that Duvall always managed to calm.
· She had a sudden flash of a daydream.· Nick spotted it by the sudden flash of light on its chassis, then put it from his mind.· I can knit, thought Leonora with a sudden flash of self-knowledge.· Three hours' extremely cold and tedious observation had been ruined by the sudden flash of this light several years earlier.· A sudden flash of annoyance went through him.
· The witnesses would say later that the searingly brilliant white flash seemed to last for several seconds.· At that moment, there came a terrible white flash, brighter than the Sun, which temporarily blinded me.
NOUN· As I found out later, a metal necklace he was wearing had taken the full brunt of the lightning flash.· In the distance I can hear the rumble of thunder and see lightning flash from cloud to cloud.· Friend's triumph flared like a lightning flash.· I see those lightning flashes again, colors striking.· Thunder rolled up from his chest, and lightning flashes glittered in his eyes.· It was like that endless moment, Sabine thought, between the lightning flash and the first crackle of thunder.· This fortuitous cooperation of lightning flashes and motor car exhausts was producing results in fairly populated areas at night.
· Important deaths come in special news flashes, or as the first item, not at the end.· This is not a news flash to the twins.· A radio playing somewhere was interrupted by a news flash.
VERB· The captain and rear admiral, viewing the aircraft-launching operations from the island, are blinded by the flash.· The onlookers, blinded by the flash, burned by its searing heat, covered their eyes and cringed in terror.· A blinding flash illuminated the darkness, and the terrible discharge of musketry resounded through the woods.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1light [countable] a bright light that shines for a short time and then stops shining: - The computer can sort and edit a mailing list in a flash.
- He also had a nature that went violent in a flash.
- If he knew what I wanted he'd be out of the car and away in a flash of shock.
- It's all done in a flash these days.
- It was over in a flash.
- Shelby chooses the green chair for her dad, then like a flash, she's off to the house.
- The lesson seemed to pass in a flash.
- Two shots, they stop in a flash.
- We went by the tower like a flash and landed on the red cross near the newly set-up hospital tent.
- He is some one who feeds off flashes of insight, like bolts of lightning from a clear blue sky.
- Mario Bennett, another first-round pick last summer, also showed flashes of brilliance after returning from knee surgery.
- One who'd probably mowed the nurses down in his student days, too, she thought with a flash of insight.
- There was no momentary flash of inspiration; it was typical of Laura's talent to turn a disadvantage into an advantage.
- There were flashes of brilliance from Michael Hordern and Kelly Hunter but generally the acting lacked sparkle.
- With a flash of insight, she imagined Guy's jilted fiancée had received a timely escape.
- Beene's new novel proves that he isn't just a flash in the pan.
- I think people thought in the beginning I was going to be a flash in the pan, like Tiny Tim.
- I began to wonder what might be going through her mind.
- Over and over it ran through his mind.
- Perhaps more mundane thoughts went through her mind.
- The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.
- The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.
- The thought ran through my mind I heard chaos outside.
- This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.
- Who lived there and what was going through their minds?
Two flashes mean danger.flash of A flash of lightning lit up the night sky.brilliant/blinding flash a brilliant flash of light2camera [countable, uncountable] a special bright light used when taking photographs indoors or when there is not much light: Did the flash go off?3in/like a flash (also quick as a flash) very quickly: Just wait here. I’ll be back in a flash.4flash of inspiration/brilliance/insight/anger etc if someone has a flash of brilliance, anger etc, they suddenly have a clever idea or a particular feeling5a flash in the pan a sudden success that ends quickly and is unlikely to happen again: Beene’s new novel proves he isn’t just a flash in the pan.6bright colour/something shiny [countable] if there is a flash of something brightly coloured or shiny, it appears suddenly for a short timeflash of The bird vanished in a flash of blue.7computer [uncountable] trademark a system of instructions for a computer that is used especially to make pictures on a website appear to move: Flash animation8look [countable] British English a quick look – used humorously SYN glimpse9military [countable] British English a small piece of coloured cloth worn on the shoulder of a military uniform → newsflashflash1 verbflash2 nounflash3 adjective
flashflash3 adjective EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Flash fires swept through the Los Angeles foothills last night.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES the desert with its strange twisted plants and its blinding light Suddenly, I had a blinding flash of inspiration. Quick as a flash (=very quickly) she replied, ‘That’s not what I’ve heard!’
the desert with its strange twisted plants and its blinding light Suddenly, I had a blinding flash of inspiration. (=show one very quickly)· He flashed his ID card at the guard and walked straight in.
(=smile quickly at someone)· Flashing me a grin over her shoulder, she got into the car.
(=a very small amount of humour)· She replied with a rare flash of humour.
(=a sudden good idea)· A sudden flash of inspiration came to him.
(=a bright light that appears suddenly for a very short time)· A flash of light caught his attention.
(=a sudden light from lightning)· Suddenly there was a flash of lightning and a roll of thunder.· A series of lightning flashes crackled overhead.
· Lightning flashed in the sky, and there was a loud crash of thunder.
Quick as a flash (=very quickly) she replied, ‘That’s not what I’ve heard!’ (=give a quick smile)· She flashed him a smile.
(=when you are very angry for a short time)· A businessman assaulted his wife and son in a fit of temper, a court heard yesterday.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1flash flood/fire a flood or fire that happens very quickly or suddenly, and continues for only a short time2British English informal looking very new, bright, and expensive – used to show disapproval: - A couple of years ago these lanes were far from peaceful when a flash flood swept through the area.
- He believes Ruess probably died in a flash flood or fell off a cliff.
- In the event of a flash flood, remember that you should immediately seek higher ground.
- Like the desert after a flash flood, Freshers' Fair is decorated by societies which bloom for just a day.
- Summer flash floods achieve little beyond destroying crops.
- The report warns of extreme events such as thunderstorms causing flash floods and intense meteorological depressions.
- Urgent talks after flash flood causes chaos.
- I began to wonder what might be going through her mind.
- Over and over it ran through his mind.
- Perhaps more mundane thoughts went through her mind.
- The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.
- The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.
- The thought ran through my mind I heard chaos outside.
- This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.
- Who lived there and what was going through their minds?
a big flash car3British English informal liking to have expensive clothes and possessions so that other people notice you – used to show disapproval: Chris didn’t want to seem flash in front of his mates.