go to the country


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go to the country

1. To travel to a more rural or remote area than one's current location. I want to go to the country on Saturday, to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
2. To hold an election. This usage is primarily heard in the UK and Australia. After spending a year out of office, I plan to go to the country next year.
See also: country

go to the country

BRITISH
COMMON If a head of government or a government goes to the country, they hold a general election. Strictly speaking, the Prime Minister doesn't have to go to the country for another year.
See also: country
References in periodicals archive ?
He must go to the country now, and trust the people to make the right decision.
THE BIRMINGHAM POST: The loud lesson for Brown is: trust the people; AGENDA
He added: "My job is to make sure our campaign, our party, is ready whenever the Prime Minister decides to go to the country.
Labour rubbish election claims
After deciding not to go to the country himself in a General Election next month, the Prime Minister has issued an urgent plea for us to vote with our feet and rescue the flagging tourist industry this Easter.
Comment: Don't desert your cousins in the country
His mother can now safely go to the country store to buy milk without being intimidated by gang members or other undesirables, he said.
TOWN'S CONCERNS SURVEYED : DEPUTIES' ASSIGNMENT: GET TO KNOW VAL VERDE
And with just a year until Mr Major has to go to the country, that would spark a new leadership frenzy.
Tarzan swings in for Major
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