lightning never strikes twice in the same place
Something is not affected in the same way twice.
ADJ
forked, sheet
During the storm, sheet lightning lit up the entire sky in bright flashes.
QUANT
bolt, flash
A sudden flash of lightning lit up the night sky during the thunderstorm.
LIGHTNING + VERB
flash, flicker, fork, light sth (up)
A sudden fork of lightning lit up the dark clouds during the storm.
hit sb/sth, strike sb/sth
A bolt of lightning struck the tall building during the storm last night.
LIGHTNING + NOUN
bolt, flash
strike
A lightning strike hit the old oak tree during the storm last night.
speed
PHRASES
thunder and lightning