# as the gull flies

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/as-the-gull-flies
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- The town is only five miles away as the gull flies.
- Our house is two miles from the beach as the gull flies.
- Although the mountain road is long and winding, the village is quite close as the gull flies.
- The island looks close enough to swim to as the gull flies, but the strong currents make the actual boat trip much longer.
- You can see the lighthouse across the bay as the gull flies, even though driving there takes nearly an hour on the coastal road.
- While the journey by train requires several hours of travel through the valley, the distance between the two cities is remarkably short as the gull flies.

## Origin

The idiom originates from the observation of the bird's transit toward a food source. Unlike terrestrial travellers, the gull ignores the inconveniences of terrain and the winding paths of rivers, choosing instead the most direct route available. It functions as a synonym for the beeline, preserving the image of a flight path that prioritises efficiency over the landscape below.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.