Crows are smart birds that people in the USA see almost every day. They are known for their black feathers, loud calls, and clever tricks. Over time, these birds have appeared in many American sayings and expressions. Some idioms about crows are funny, while others share wisdom or describe strange situations. These phrases help add color to conversations and often have interesting stories behind them.
In the USA, idioms about crows can be heard in movies, books, and everyday talk. They can describe how people act, share a warning, or simply make a point in a memorable way. Learning them is not just fun—it also helps you understand American culture better. In this article, we’ll explore different idioms about crows, see what they mean, and learn how they are used.
Idioms About Crows
1. As the crow flies
Meaning: The shortest distance between two places.
Example Sentence:
• The park is only two miles away as the crow flies.
• It’s ten miles by road, but only six as the crow flies.
Other ways to say: Direct route, straight line
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying comes from the way crows fly straight without following roads or paths.
Usage: Used when talking about the direct distance between two points.
2. A murder of crows
Meaning: A group of crows.
Example Sentence:
• We saw a murder of crows in the field.
• A murder of crows landed on the barn roof.
Other ways to say: Flock of crows, group of crows
Fun Fact/Origin: The term “murder” for crows is centuries old and comes from old folk stories.
Usage: Used when describing many crows together.
3. Crow’s nest
Meaning: A high lookout point.
Example Sentence:
• The lifeguard’s chair is like a crow’s nest.
• Sailors climbed to the crow’s nest to spot land.
Other ways to say: Lookout, watchtower
Fun Fact/Origin: On ships, the crow’s nest is a high platform used to watch for danger or land.
Usage: Used when someone is in a high place to observe.
4. To eat crow
Meaning: To admit you were wrong.
Example Sentence:
• He had to eat crow after his prediction was wrong.
• I thought I could win, but I had to eat crow.
Other ways to say: Admit fault, swallow pride
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that eating crow would be unpleasant, just like admitting you were wrong.
Usage: Used when someone must admit a mistake.
5. Stone the crows
Meaning: An exclamation of surprise.
Example Sentence:
• Stone the crows, I didn’t see that coming!
• Stone the crows, that was amazing!
Other ways to say: Wow, oh my goodness
Fun Fact/Origin: A British-Australian saying that made its way into American speech.
Usage: Used to express shock or amazement.
6. Clever as a crow
Meaning: Very smart or quick to figure things out.
Example Sentence:
• She’s clever as a crow when solving puzzles.
• That boy is clever as a crow in math.
Other ways to say: Smart, sharp-minded
Fun Fact/Origin: Crows are among the smartest birds, known for solving problems.
Usage: Used when someone is intelligent.
7. Crow about
Meaning: To boast or brag.
Example Sentence:
• He wouldn’t stop crowing about his win.
• She crowed about her high test score.
Other ways to say: Brag, boast
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the loud cawing sound crows make.
Usage: Used when someone brags too much.
8. As black as a crow
Meaning: Very dark in color.
Example Sentence:
• The night was as black as a crow.
• Her hair was as black as a crow.
Other ways to say: Pitch black, jet black
Fun Fact/Origin: Crows’ feathers are deep black, making them a common comparison for darkness.
Usage: Used when describing something very dark.
9. Crow like a rooster
Meaning: To act proud or boast loudly.
Example Sentence:
• He was crowing like a rooster after the game.
• She crowed like a rooster when she won.
Other ways to say: Show off, brag out loud
Fun Fact/Origin: Mixes the sounds of crows and roosters to describe loud bragging.
Usage: Used when someone celebrates too loudly.
10. Scarecrow
Meaning: Something that scares away trouble or animals.
Example Sentence:
• The scarecrow kept the birds out of the garden.
• That barking dog is like a scarecrow to strangers.
Other ways to say: Guard figure, deterrent
Fun Fact/Origin: Farmers use scarecrows to keep crows and other birds away from crops.
Usage: Used when something or someone frightens others away.
11. Crow’s feet
Meaning: Wrinkles at the corners of the eyes.
Example Sentence:
• She smiled, and you could see her crow’s feet.
• His crow’s feet showed from years of laughter.
Other ways to say: Eye wrinkles, smile lines
Fun Fact/Origin: Named because the wrinkles look like a crow’s footprint.
Usage: Used when talking about facial lines near the eyes.
12. Crow call
Meaning: A loud, attention-getting shout.
Example Sentence:
• He gave a crow call to get our attention.
• Her crow call could be heard across the field.
Other ways to say: Loud shout, yell
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on the loud caw of a crow.
Usage: Used when someone makes a loud sound to be noticed.
13. Crow bait
Meaning: Something old, weak, or useless.
Example Sentence:
• That old truck is crow bait.
• My shoes are falling apart—they’re crow bait.
Other ways to say: Worn out, junk
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to something so bad it might attract scavenger birds like crows.
Usage: Used for things that are past their best use.
14. Crowbar
Meaning: A strong metal tool used for prying things open.
Example Sentence:
• He used a crowbar to open the crate.
• The workers grabbed a crowbar to lift the boards.
Other ways to say: Pry bar, lever tool
Fun Fact/Origin: The shape of the tool’s end is like a crow’s beak.
Usage: Used when talking about the tool.
15. Crow down
Meaning: To speak forcefully and dominate a discussion.
Example Sentence:
• He crowed down anyone who disagreed.
• She crowed down her opponents in debate.
Other ways to say: Talk over, silence others
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the loud, insistent noise crows make.
Usage: Used when someone overpowers others in conversation.
16. Crow over
Meaning: To gloat over someone’s loss.
Example Sentence:
• He crowed over his rival’s mistake.
• Don’t crow over someone else’s failure.
Other ways to say: Mock, taunt
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to crows’ loud cawing, often seen as annoying.
Usage: Used when someone enjoys another’s misfortune.
17. Crow off
Meaning: To end something with a proud announcement.
Example Sentence:
• The mayor crowed off the event with a speech.
• He crowed off the season by thanking the fans.
Other ways to say: Conclude proudly, end with flair
Fun Fact/Origin: Taken from the final, loud caw of a crow.
Usage: Used when ending an event in a big way.
18. Crow over the moon
Meaning: Extremely happy or excited.
Example Sentence:
• She was crowing over the moon after the win.
• He crowed over the moon about his new job.
Other ways to say: Overjoyed, thrilled
Fun Fact/Origin: Mixes the idea of a crow’s excitement with the phrase “over the moon.”
Usage: Used when someone is very happy.
19. Crow season
Meaning: A time when things are tough or competitive.
Example Sentence:
• It’s crow season at school with all the tests.
• For farmers, crow season means guarding crops.
Other ways to say: Tough time, challenge period
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to hunting season for crows or when they cause trouble.
Usage: Used when a busy or hard time is coming.
20. Crow’s shadow
Meaning: A bad sign or omen.
Example Sentence:
• The old house stood under a crow’s shadow.
• A crow’s shadow over the field worried the farmer.
Other ways to say: Bad sign, warning sign
Fun Fact/Origin: In folklore, crows were seen as bringers of bad luck.
Usage: Used when something feels unlucky.
21. Crow’s wing
Meaning: Something very close by.
Example Sentence:
• The store is just a crow’s wing from here.
• The park is a crow’s wing away from my house.
Other ways to say: Nearby, within reach
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on the short distance a crow can fly in one flap.
Usage: Used when something is close.
22. Crow in the corn
Meaning: Trouble is coming.
Example Sentence:
• Watch out, there’s a crow in the corn.
• When I heard that rumor, I knew there was a crow in the corn.
Other ways to say: Warning sign, trouble ahead
Fun Fact/Origin: Crows in cornfields mean stolen crops for farmers.
Usage: Used when problems are about to happen.
23. Crow’s luck
Meaning: Finding something valuable by chance.
Example Sentence:
• He found that coin with pure crow’s luck.
• Winning that prize was crow’s luck.
Other ways to say: Good fortune, lucky break
Fun Fact/Origin: Crows often find shiny objects without looking for them.
Usage: Used when someone gets lucky without trying.
24. Crow up
Meaning: To make noise in celebration.
Example Sentence:
• The fans crowed up after the touchdown.
• She crowed up when she heard the news.
Other ways to say: Cheer, shout with joy
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on the loud and excited calls of crows.
Usage: Used when people make noise to celebrate.
25. Crow’s dinner
Meaning: Something left for scavengers.
Example Sentence:
• The scraps were a crow’s dinner.
• That old shed is just a crow’s dinner for time and weather.
Other ways to say: Leftovers, remains
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to food or items left for crows to pick at.
Usage: Used when something is abandoned or left to waste.
Quiz: Idioms About Crows
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Only one answer is correct.
Question Key
1. If something is “as the crow flies,” what does it mean?
A) The shortest distance between two points
B) Following the road exactly
C) Taking the longest route
2. What is a “murder of crows”?
A) A scary story about birds
B) A group of crows
C) A type of bird call
3. If you “eat crow,” what are you doing?
A) Eating a large meal
B) Admitting you were wrong
C) Winning a game
4. A “crow’s nest” is:
A) A home for baby crows
B) A high lookout spot
C) A type of bird feeder
5. If someone is “crowing about” something, they are:
A) Complaining about it
B) Bragging about it
C) Ignoring it
6. What does “crow bait” mean?
A) A shiny object for crows
B) Something old and useless
C) A type of hunting tool
7. If you say “crow in the corn,” you mean:
A) There is trouble ahead
B) The crops are ready to harvest
C) The farm is quiet
8. “Crow’s feet” are:
A) Marks on the ground from a bird
B) Wrinkles near the eyes
C) A type of bird track
9. If something is “a crow’s wing away,” it is:
A) Very far away
B) Close by
C) In another town
10. “Crow’s luck” means:
A) Finding something by chance
B) Losing something important
C) Winning by cheating
Answer Key
- A) The shortest distance between two points
- B) A group of crows
- B) Admitting you were wrong
- B) A high lookout spot
- B) Bragging about it
- B) Something old and useless
- A) There is trouble ahead
- B) Wrinkles near the eyes
- B) Close by
- A) Finding something by chance
Wrapping Up
Crows have inspired many sayings in American speech. From “as the crow flies” to “crow’s luck,” these idioms help people express ideas in a colorful way. Some describe distance, others talk about bragging, luck, or trouble.
By learning crow idioms, you not only understand more about language, but also about how everyday life, nature, and culture connect. Whether you use them to share good news or to give a warning, these phrases can make your conversations more lively. Next time you hear a crow outside, you might just think of a saying that fits the moment.
