As the crow flies

Definitions

• Distance or direction
  To refer to the most direct and shortest route between two points, ignoring any obstacles or barriers that may be present.

• Speed or efficiency
  To describe a swift or direct action, as crows are known for their quick and efficient flying abilities.

• Simplicity or straightforwardness
  To signify the simplest or most uncomplicated way of doing something, as crows are often associated with intelligence and problem-solving skills.

Examples of As the crow flies

• The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, as the crow flies.

  This idiom is used to describe the shortest distance between two points. It implies that if a crow were to fly directly between the two points, it would travel the shortest distance possible. This idiom is often used to describe the shortest distance between two locations on a map, even if there are obstacles or barriers in the way that would prevent a straight-line route for a person or vehicle.

• The store is only a few miles away, as the crow flies, but it takes me over an hour to get there because of all the traffic.

  In this example, the idiom is used to contrast the shortest distance between two points (as the crow flies) with the actual distance traveled due to obstacles or barriers (in this case, traffic).

• The hiking trail is about five miles, as the crow flies, but it's actually closer to seven miles because of the winding path.

  Here, the idiom is used to compare the shortest distance between two points (as the crow flies) with the actual distance traveled due to the path or route taken.

• The new housing development is located just beyond the airport, as the crow flies, but it's quite a drive because of the busy highway in between.

  This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe the shortest distance between two points, even if there are barriers or obstacles in the way that would prevent a straight-line route for a person or vehicle.

• The city is only a few hours away, as the crow flies, but the drive takes us almost a full day because of the winding roads and heavy traffic.

  Here, the idiom is used to contrast the shortest distance between two points (as the crow flies) with the actual distance traveled due to obstacles or barriers (in this case, winding roads and heavy traffic).

Conclusion

"As the crow flies" is a versatile idiom that can be used to convey a variety of meanings related to distance, direction, speed, efficiency, and simplicity. It is often used in a figurative sense to describe a direct or uncomplicated approach to a task or situation.

Origin of "As the crow flies"

The origin of this idiom is rooted in the behavior of crows, which are known for their swift and direct flight patterns. This phrase has been in use since the 16th century and was first recorded in a book about the travels of Sir Thomas Browne. Over time, it has become a popular idiom in the English language, used to describe the most direct or efficient way of doing something.

Examples of this idiom can be found in literature and everyday language, such as "We'll save time if we go as the crow flies" or "The fastest way to get there is to go as the crow flies." It is also commonly used in navigation and mapping to denote the shortest distance between two points. Overall, the idiom "as the crow flies" has become a commonly used phrase to describe a straightforward and efficient approach to a task or journey.