flash into (one's) mind
To be thought of in a quick or fleeting fashion. An image of my keys on the dining room table suddenly flashed into my mind, and I remembered where I'd left them.
flash into one's mind
Fig. [for an idea or image] to enter one's mind for an instant. (See also flash through one's mind) A brilliant idea flashed into her mind, and she wrote it down. When the idea flashed into my mind, I closed my eyes and tried to forget it.