Idioms / Expressions

The next time you misunderstand a phrase someone uses, it might be an idiom.  In Michigan, I would ask directions (uncommon for a male) and sometimes point in the direction of the destination to summarize with the phrase, "as the crow flies".  This helped build the map in my mind to avoid blind dependence on GPS, especially on the freeways of Detroit.  But the crow phrase was unfamiliar to Sister Cannon, so she doubted anyone else would understand this old man.  (For her, I had to say, "as the helicopter flies" to be clear.  We just laughed.)  Back in my day (before young Kay's day), most people understood how a crow flies, thus the phrase ... "an idiom for the most direct path between two points."  – Wikipedia
Whether I continue using the crow ... is still "up in the air" (another common idiom).

Have you ever "killed two birds with one stone?"  Kay and I did once when the kids couldn't sleep at night, and we wanted to watch an old classic movie.  Having them watch with us ... put them to sleep.  "Piece of cake!"

"Expressions are used to convey a message the way the speaker wants it to be understood. [Idioms cannot be defined literally.] An expression is easier to understand when compared to an idiom that you're not familiar with."
– differencebetween.net

So, cautions the expert, make sure your words are properly understood.  "If not, then it might cause confusion ..."  Seriously!

going with the flow at 80 mph,

recalling direction of destination

familiar freeway landmark on the map in my mind

Georgia girl visiting Grandma in Michigan
– birthday time like "heaven on earth"

meanwhile, "back at the ranch",
grandsons in the far West showing
the opposite of "... crow flies"

The Savior Jesus Christ shows the way
to our desired destination – home
to live with Heavenly Father.