Jen: Can you tell me how far the library is from here?
Jason: It’s not very far, “as the crow flies,” but if you are driving there you will have to take a detour as certain roads are closed for construction.
Jen: I see. Thanks!

오늘 본문에서 제가 “Can you tell me how far the library is from here? 여기서 도서관이 얼마나 되는지 알려 줄 수 있니?” 라고 묻자 Jason이 “It’s not very far, “as the crow flies,” but if you are driving there you will have to take a detour as certain roads are closed for construction. 일직선 거리로 가면 별로 멀지 않은데 운전을 하게 되면 아마 돌아가야 할 거야. 공사 때문에 막아놓은 곳이 있거든.”이라고 하더라고요.

Now keep today’s expression ‘As the crow flies’ in mind and let’s hear the conversation again. 그럼 다시 한번 대화를 들어볼까요?

Jen: Can you tell me how far the library is from here?
Jason: It’s not very far, “as the crow flies,” but if you are driving there you will have to take a detour as certain roads are closed for construction.
Jen: I see. Thanks!

Today’s expression is as the crow flies. A crow has an ability to fly directly from point A to point B, without obstructions that might restrict man. When someone says “as the crow flies” it means in a direct line, by the shortest route. As the crow flies 는 ‘일직선으로’라는 의미입니다. 까마귀는 한 지점에서 다른 지점까지 일직선으로 날아갈 수 있다고 합니다. 바로 여기서 나온 말이죠.

오늘 본문에서 제가 Jason에게 도서관까지 거리가 얼마나 되느냐고 물어보니까 Jason이 “It’s not very far, “as the crow flies,” but if you are driving there you will have to take a detour as certain roads are closed for construction. 일직선 거리로 가면 별로 멀지 않은데 운전을 하게 되면 아마 돌아가야 할거야. 공사 때문에 막아놓은 곳이 있거든.” 이라고 했습니다.

이제 예문을 통해 오늘 표현을 더 익혀보겠습니다. “The airport is about 30 miles as the crow flies.” 라고 하면 “공항은 일직선 거리로 30마일이야.”라는 뜻이 됩니다. 또 다른 예문을 들어볼까요? “The post office is only a few minutes from here as the crow flies.”라고 하면 “여기서 우체국까지 직선거리로 몇 분 안 걸립니다.” 라는 뜻이 됩니다. Now you know what today’s expression means right? Then we will listen to the conversation for the last time.

Jen: Can you tell me how far the library is from here?
Jason: It’s not very far, “as the crow flies,” but if you are driving there you will have to take a detour as certain roads are closed for construction.
Jen: I see. Thanks!

Let’s review. When someone says “as the crow flies,” it means in a direct line, by the shortest route. AS THE CROW FLIES. Now try using this expression on your own.