Collocations for "flash"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "flash" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
flash
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- the lights flashed on and off
- flashed up on the [screen, TV, computer]
- flash your headlights
- the [car, truck, driver] flashed at me (to go)
- with (its) lights flashing
- cameras flashed
- images flashed before [him, his eyes]
- images flashed into her [mind, head]
- the [idea, thought, memory] flashed through my mind
- my whole life flashed before my eyes
- the [story, memory] flashed back to me
- [it] (suddenly) flashed into view
- flashed [by, past]
- lightning flashed (across the sky)
- flashed a [smile, grin] at her
- flashed her a [smile, grin]
- flashed his teeth
- flashed her [breasts, butt]
- eyes flashed with [anger, fear]
- [arrested for, caught] flashing
- a flash of lightning
- a [camera, lightning] flash
- (forgot) to turn [on, off] the flash
- forgot to turn the flash [on]
- would be better with the flash (on)
- is prone to the [occasional, odd] flash of anger
- in a flash of [inspiration, insight]
- came to me in a [sudden, brief, vivid] flash
- the [idea, answer, solution] came to me in a flash
- he was gone in a flash
- [it] was over in a flash
- it all happened in a flash
- [saw, broadcast, read] a news flash
- [saw] a news flash on [television, the internet]
- [was just, turned out to be] a flash in the pan
- a flash memory card
- saved [on, to] a flash drive
- need (to update) a flash player
- play flash games
- flash [animation, templates]
- flash photography
- caused flash [floods, flooding] in
- UK: stop being so flash!
- UK: is flash with his [money, credit cards]
- UK: a flash [player, crowd, man, woman, person]
- UK: a flash new [car, ring, smartphone, tablet]
- a flash mob
'flash' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):