Brief success (5,2,3,3)
I believe the answer is:
flash in the pan
'brief success' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for flash in the pan that I've seen before include "Brilliance that doesn't last" , "Brief success - flambe moment?" , "First and only success" , "Failure, after initial promise" , "Nine days' wonder" .)