Crossword Genius

Feel cross with a broken direct line (2,3,4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

as the crow flies

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'direct line' is the definition.
'as the crow flies' can be an answer for 'direct' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'line' bit.

'feel cross with a broken' is the wordplay.
'broken' indicates anagramming the letters.
'feel'+'cross'+'with'+'a'='feelcrosswitha'
'feelcrosswitha' anagrammed gives 'AS THE CROW FLIES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for as the crow flies that I've seen before include "taking shortest route" , "without deviating" , "Directly" , "By direct route" , "How rook moves" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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