Only Phrases

Meaning
When we are hopeful of something after seeing a good start but eventually it fails to give desired results, we use this phrase.

Origin
Elkanah Settle in Reflections on several of Mr. Dryden’s plays in 1687 used it:
“If Cannons were so well bred in his Metaphor as only to flash in the Pan, I dare lay an even wager that Mr. Dryden durst venture to Sea.”