as the crow flies
as the crow flies
English
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Definition
In a straight line distance between two locations, as opposed to the road distance or over land distance.
Etymology
From the fact that while crows fly to their source of food, their flight bypasses obstacles like rivers and terrain. Compare beeline.
Example Sentences
- "It is 15 kilometers as the crow flies."
- "ʽFire,ʼ said Bill, ʽin the form of a common cowshed, is burnin' about nor'-nor'-east as the crow flies.ʼ"
- "The distance from Sarajevo to Ploce is 75 miles as the crow flies, but because of the difficult terrain the new line is 120 miles long."
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