flash across

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.
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.
See also: across, flash
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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.
See also: across, flash
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • flash across (something)
  • push (someone or something) across (something)
  • push across
  • extend across
  • extend across (something)
  • get (something) across to (one)
  • run across
  • dart across
  • inch (oneself) across (something)
  • inch way across
References in periodicals archive
The installation, the work of artist Naziha Mestaoui, included the chance to buy a tree for a 10-Euro donation: an image of your tree would flash across the Eiffel Tower, you would be notified and later a tree in your name would be planted in the developing world.
Healing nations: a report from the Paris climate change conference
His father's work over five photo sessions produced that famous portrait of Bowie, all angular cheekbones and bare chest with a lightning flash across his face.
A LAD IN FRAME; SON ON DAVID BOWIE'S ICONIC LENSMAN
Their names, roles and ages flash across the screen in Arabic and English.
Syrian rebels made a video that copies Daesh execution shows to the note... until the end
Mason Rowley twice went close for Rugby in the first half before Callum Powell saw an effort flash across the face of the goal as the visitors pressed for a breakthrough.
Late heartbreak ruins Belford's first game; EVO-STIK NORTHERN LEAGUE
Cheltenham began well enough with Matt Richards seeing a first minute free-kick flash across the face of goal but the confidence visibly drained from his team-mates following a 26th-minute opening goal.
Grecians push Robins closer to League trapdoor; CHELTENHAM 1 EXETER 2
The musician will capture the mood as the silent movie's images flash across the silver screen.
A silent night at cinema as it used to be
He was wearing all dark clothing including a hooded top The second man, was of medium build, wearing a dark hooded top with a red or pink flash across the rear of both shoulders.
Knife raid at city social club
The television advertisement features a homeless man walking through the streets, pulling an old shopping bag behind him, while images from his past flash across the screen.
French campaign challenges apathy towards homelessness
And while the 41-year-old doesn't mention Jackson by name, images of the late singer flash across the screen throughout the clip.
Timba lands lost Jacko recordings; MUSIC
PEOPLE across South Wales yesterday described watching a green-tinged meteor flash across the evening sky.
Meteor lights up the sky at night
In Inner Appearances (which [Yvonne Rainer] choreographed and danced), cards flash across a screen to tell of the 'wild commotion of shame, grief, and joy' that is rushing about inside the head of the woman who moves slowly, carefully through her chore ...
40 years ago this month
They wired up 160 volunteers and discovered naughty thoughts only flash across the mind of a typical bloke 19 times a day.
USA
At the film's conclusion, when your view of the food system hovers at rock bottom, words of hope flash across the screen: you can vote to change this system three times a day.
Food, Inc