as the crow flies

/æz ðə kroʊ flaɪz/

To go as the crow flies is to take the most direct route somewhere. Going as the crow flies is the shortest path between two points.

This expression has to do with traveling—in a very specific way. If you travel as the crow flies, you've gone somewhere as quickly and directly as possible. A shortcut is a good way to go as the crow flies. A direct airplane flight with no transfers is another way to go as the crow flies. When you think of this term, imagine a bird flying in a straight line from point A to point B.

Definitions of as the crow flies

1. adverb

   by the shortest and most direct route
   “it's 10 miles as the crow flies”