As the crow flies

Meaning

The idiom "as the crow flies" means to describe the shortest possible distance or the most direct path between two points, often using a bird's perspective. It refers to a straight line or the shortest possible route from one place to another, without any obstacles or detours. For example, if you ask someone to go "as the crow flies" to their friend's house, they would take the most direct and fastest path possible.

Usage

• The car drove "as the crow flies" to reach its destination, avoiding all traffic and construction zones.
• We need to go to the store "as the crow flies" to get there before it closes.
• The hiker took "as the crow flies" to reach the summit of the mountain.
• The airplane had to fly "as the crow flies" to avoid the storm clouds on its way to the airport.
• If you want to see a movie, you should go to the theater "as the crow flies," which is just two blocks away from your home.

Roots and History

The idiom originated in the Middle Ages when crows were believed to fly directly between two points without any obstacles or detours. This belief was based on the observation that crows could navigate through unfamiliar areas with ease, using only the stars and other natural landmarks. Over time, the phrase "as the crow flies" became associated with describing the shortest possible distance or the most direct path between two points, without any obstacles or detours. In contemporary language, the idiom is used more broadly to refer to the shortest possible route or the most efficient way to get from one place to another.

Synonyms in English

• Directly
• Straightforwardly
• Without any obstacles or detours
• On a straight line
• In a straight path

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish - "En línea recta"
• French - "À vol d'oiseau"
• German - "In gerader Linie"
• Italian - "A volo d'uccello"
• Japanese - "直線 flight"

Similar Idioms

• apple polisher

• at the drop of a hat

• running around like a headless chicken