go to the country

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. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I plan to go to the country next year.
See also: country, go
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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, go
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

go (or appeal) to the country

test public opinion by dissolving Parliament and holding a general election. British
See also: country, go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

go to the ˈcountry

(British English) hold a general election: The Prime Minister may decide to go to the country in the next few weeks.
See also: country, go
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • hustle and bustle
  • hustle (one's) bustle
  • a/(one's) 20
  • hustle up
  • out of conceit with (something)
  • the inner man/woman
  • hustle your butt
  • hustle (one's) butt
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
References in periodicals archive
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
Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls also questioned whether the bigger gamble was to go to the country now, while Labour is riding high in the opinion polls, or wait until next year.
Mulling over impact
The findings would be enough to give Brown a majority of more than 100 and may tempt him to go to the country next spring - two years before an election must be called.
Massive Labour poll lead
Britain's political leaders are embarking on what could be their last summer holidays before the next General Election amid speculation that the Prime Minister may choose to go to the country next spring.
Political holiday as election looms
And for John Major it was another humilitation less than a year before he has to go to the country in a general election.
BLAIR'S POLL JOY
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