as the crow flies
In straight line
As the crow flies means in a straight line between two points, ignoring roads, terrain, or other obstacles—the shortest possible distance.
The phrase evokes a bird's direct flight path: It's only ten miles as the crow flies, but thirty by car.
Used when distinguishing actual travel distance from theoretical straight-line distance.
- beelineMost direct course
- straight as an arrowPerfectly linear, no curves
- straight shotDirect unimpeded trajectory
- directlyWithout intermediary steps
- straight lineUndeviated continuous path
direct route · shortest path · geodesic · displacement · straight ahead · great circle · shortcut · path · bird's-eye view · measurement · rule of thumb · distance · ballpark figure · quick and dirty · cut to the chase · clear as day · in a nutshell · forthright
- bird expressionsearly bird, birdbrain, bird brain, lovebirds, jailbird
- routesroad, path, route, highway, freeway
measurement method
as the crow fliesdriving distance
How far one drives
walking distance · road miles · travel time · travel distance · door to door