ENGLISH
REFERENCE

as the crow flies

idiom
Meaning

In a straight line distance between two locations, as opposed to the road distance or over land distance.


Origin

disputed origin

From the fact that while crows fly to their source of food, their flight bypasses obstacles like rivers and terrain. Compare beeline.

Examples
SIMPLE

It's ten miles as the crow flies, but fifteen by road.

CONTEXTUAL

The village is only five kilometres as the crow flies, but the mountain road takes an hour to drive.

COMPLEX

Though the two cities were barely a hundred miles apart as the crow flies, the winding coastal route consumed the better part of a day.

Anchors to
Related idioms7entries
  1. 01

    as the gull flies

    In a straight line distance between two locations, as opposed to the road distance or over land distance.

  2. 02

    catch flies

    To have one's mouth wide open for a prolonged period.

  3. 03

    drink with the flies

    To drink alcohol while alone.

  4. 04

    eat crow

    To recognize that one has been shown to be mistaken or outdone, especially by admitting that one has made a humiliating error.

  5. 05

    lord of the flies

    a ruler over a worthless kingdom; leader of a meaningless microcosm.

  6. 06

    no flies on

    No mental weaknesses, character defects, or other significant flaws belonging to.

  7. 07

    time flies

    Time passes quickly.

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