On this show , we explore common phrases and expressions in American English . Today we talk about a saying that comes from nature -- the weather , to be exact . Lightning is a powerful force of nature . In fact , a lightning strike carries millions of volts of electricity . Scientists say a bolt of lightning strikes somewhere on Earth every second . That is a lot of energy ! Think how wonderful it would be if we could capture lightning and sell it in a bottle . Sadly , that is not something you or I can do , at least not yet . The phrase "to catch lighting in a bottle " means to capture something powerful or difficult . Then you are able to control it and perhaps show it to the world . This is where the "bottle " part is important . We can also use "to capture lightning in a bottle " to describe an extremely difficult or unlikely success . Or you can simply call something elusive , fleeting and brilliant "lightning in a bottle ." So , something elusive is difficult to define or to identify . "Fleeting " means to be here one minute and gone the next . Something fleeting is hard to hold onto . It is hard to catch or even define . It's as if it's too special . For example , once I worked on a theater project and the experience was like lightning in a bottle . The performers -- all gifted and friendly -- became like family . We spent every day together . The material we performed was funny , yet difficult . And every night the people who gathered to watch us perform were wonderful . Experiences like that do not come along every day . So , we often use the term “lightning in a bottle ” when talking about something creative . But not always . In the world of sports , players and teams have also been known for catching lightning in a bottle . Anything physical that is "lightning in a bottle " can be described as a rare feat . Climbing the top of Mount Everest is considered a rare feat of endurance . Sometimes we use this expression to describe something that it is difficult to do and use it as a simile . A simile compares two things and begins with the word "like " or "as ." For example , getting all the scientists to agree on a subject for the conference was like trying to catch lightning in a bottle . They all wanted to talk about different issues . As you may have noticed , we either use the verbs "capture " or "catch " for this expression . "Catch " is less official sounding . Language experts do not know exactly where this expression comes from . Some say it may have started with Benjamin Franklin -- the American diplomat , businessman and inventor . Ben Franklin is known for a scientific experiment involving electricity and lightning . As the story goes , Franklin once flew a kite in a lightning storm . He had hoped that lightning would strike the kite as it flew high in the sky . He thought the electricity would travel down the string to a metal key at the bottom . Then the plan was to catch the electricity in a glass jar . But that didn't happen . However , it did lead to the invention of the lightning rod and the understanding of positive and negative charges . So , you can't catch real lightning in a bottle . But hopefully , during your lifetime you'll have the experience of catching a little of your own lightning in a bottle . We'll end the show with a final usage of this expression . It is not that common but probably worth noting . "Bottled lightning " can also mean a very strong alcoholic drink .