Hoarse as a crow
Meaning
To have a very rough, raspy, or croaky voice, often due to a sore throat, shouting, or illness.
Origin
The image of a crow, with its distinctive, guttural "caw," has long been a part of human folklore and observation. Unlike the melodic songs of many other birds, the crow's call is famously harsh, unyielding, and often repetitive—a sound that could easily be described as raw or raspy. This vivid auditory association naturally lent itself to describing a human voice that had lost its clarity and become rough or strained. The phrase likely emerged from the simple, everyday experience of hearing a crow and comparing its sound to the feeling of a sore or overworked throat, cementing the crow's unmistakable voice as the quintessential metaphor for human hoarseness.
Examples
- After hours of cheering at the concert, Sarah found herself hoarse as a crow the next morning.
- The old fisherman, notorious for his booming stories, was hoarse as a crow after battling a severe cold all week.