Idiom or not?

[dungtai]

Hi!

Could you please help me explain this below verb phrase:
" Keep it rural " ?
I have been struggled on it, since I really don't know wether it is a sort of Idiom or not and what it means.

Thank you in advance for you explanation !

[Tdol]

I haven't heard this one, but does it mean keep it basic/simple? To be an idiom, it should have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the words, but also should be recognised by many speakers. Where someone is using language in this way, but not many speakers would instantly recognise it, you could say it is an idiomatic usage.

[Coffa]

Perhaps it is a play on "keep it real"? "Keep it real" is a sort of trendy all-purpose idiom meaning something like "be true to yourself". "Keep it rural" sounds like it should be a slogan of the Countryside Alliance, or some similar group.

[Ouisch]

I don't think it's an idiom, but rather a slogan. I've seen it used in some areas where urban sprawl and city life is threatening to change a previously tranquil, rural area. The locals take up the rallying cry "Keep it rural!" They don't want improved super highways or new housing developments or fast food restaurants in their neighborhood.

[Tdol]

In that case, it's not at all idiomatic; it's literal. I thought it might be some townie phrase and a way of patronising.

[dungtai]

Thank all of you very much for your explanations!
And now I'm strongly sure that It's not at all an idiom, but rather a slogan, or a way of patronizing, or even an idea that people who work at organizations of Enviroment Protection put out in order to call upon or patronize everybody to stop or reduce some of what that can cause pollution...

Again, thank you very much!
By the way I am looking forward getting any further explanations or any kind of comments on it from everybody.

[Casiopea]

Here are some examples in context:

AV Press: New council members agree: Keep it rural
"I'm also concerned about trying to keep the rural identity of this community intact," he said, ... "

Washington Public Interest Research Group: Keep it Rural
Help us protect the rural areas in King County from sprawling development!


Millis working to keep its rural character
"Millis is very strong on land preservation and as a result, it's a very difficult town to build in," he said. "Officials want to limit growth and maintain its rural character."

Hobby farmers keep it rural
It is a deeply unfashionable thought, but barn conversions and hobby farmers may be just the combination needed to save our countryside - and ease the rural housing shortage, too. / But barn conversions have helped repopulate rural areas that otherwise may have lost local shops, community facilities, schools and transport services.

Rural flavor: Redlands squares off with Miami-Dade county in an effort to keep its rural identity. (Development)
In a county increasingly defined by sprawl and gridlock, the south Miami-Dade community of the Redlands is quite literally a breath of fresh air: Lush farmland, vast open spaces and strict zoning laws that require home sites of at least five acres. It also is the center of one of the county's fiercest incorporation baffles, pitting those determined to maintain the area's rural character against those championing the rights of landowners. ...

[dungtai]

Thank you very much, Casiopea. With the proofs that you gave me above, I think it has made the meaning of "Keep it rural" more clear and exact.

[Casiopea]

You're most welcome, dungtai. Context helps me too.

Correction
with the proof, not *proofs.

[dungtai]

To: Casiopea.

Thanks for your correction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!