flash on

flash on

1. To abruptly turn or go on, as of lights. As the man laughed manically, the lights in the haunted house flashed on, and we all ran out, screaming.2. To illuminate someone or something. I repositioned my lamp so that it flashed on the things I'd dropped behind my bureau.3. slang To think of or recall something. It took some time, but we finally flashed on a solution to that problem.See also: flash, on

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.See also: flash, on

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.See also: flash, on

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.See also: flash, on

flash on someone

in. to get angry at someone. Don’t flash on me like that! I didn’t do it! See also: flash, on, someone

flash on something

in. to remember something suddenly and vividly. I was trying to flash on it, but I couldn’t bring it to mind. See also: flash, on, something