As the crow flies

As the crow flies, similar to in a beeline, is an idiom for the most direct path between two points. This meaning is attested from the early 19th century, and appeared in Charles Dickens's 1838 novel Oliver Twist: We cut over the fields at the back with him between us – straight as the crow flies – through hedge and ditch. Crows do conspicuously fly alone across open country, but neither crows nor bees (as in “beeline”) fly in particularly straight lines. Crows do not swoop in the air like swallows or starlings, and often circle above their nests.

As the crow flies

As the crow flies, similar to in a beeline, is an idiom for the most direct path between two points. This meaning is attested from the early 19th century, and appeared in Charles Dickens's 1838 novel Oliver Twist: We cut over the fields at the back with him between us – straight as the crow flies – through hedge and ditch. Crows do conspicuously fly alone across open country, but neither crows nor bees (as in “beeline”) fly in particularly straight lines. Crows do not swoop in the air like swallows or starlings, and often circle above their nests.