falling star

American  

noun

1. an incandescent meteor; a shooting star.

---

falling star British  

noun

1. an informal name for meteor

---

Etymology

Origin of falling star

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

One of the saddest moments is fleeting, when Morse catches a falling star . . . violinist.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2023

Every once in a while when you’re at the Hollywood Bowl during a summer evening, you might just see a falling star.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2022

A basketball falling star: Emoni Bates was a basketball prodigy by sixth grade, a Sports Illustrated cover at 15.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2022

Sometimes an agency doesn’t decline from the zenith like a falling star, but its reputation slouches, bit by bit, toward mediocrity.

From Slate • May 6, 2020

I tiptoed to the window and stared out into the night, thinking maybe I’d see a falling star to wish on.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor