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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
flash across something
1. Lit. [for something bright] to move quickly across something. The telephone number flashed across the television screen too fast for me to copy it down. The spotlight flashed across the audience, blinding me as it went by.
2. Fig. [for an idea or image] to move quickly through one's mind. A solution to the problem suddenly flashed across my mind. Thoughts of food flashed across my mind, and I began to be very hungry.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.