not touch something with a ten foot pole

not touch something with a ten foot pole
a) To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; signifies a strong aversion.

Serious actors of the world wouldnt touch the part with a ten-foot pole.

b) To be unable (perhaps figuratively) to approach something or someone.

On the contrary, my dear Mr. Gordon, it is because I do know him, or know of him, that I am turning him over to you. You are the one person in the world to obtain that coal lease. I confess I couldnt touch the Major with a ten-foot pole, any more than you could go North and get the cash. But you are his neighbor, and he likes you. What you recommend, hell do.


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  • not touch something with a ten-foot pole — not touch (something) with a ten foot pole to not want to become involved with something. If I were you, I wouldn t touch that job with a ten foot pole. Usage notes: often used as a warning …   New idioms dictionary

  • not touch something with a ten-foot pole — not touch sb/sth with a ˈbargepole idiom (BrE) (NAmE not touch sb/sth with a ten foot ˈpole) (informal) to refuse to get involved with sb/sth or in a particular situation • …   Useful english dictionary

  • would not touch something with a ten-foot pole — informal used to express a refusal to have anything to do with someone or something relax, I wouldn t touch you with a ten foot pole! …   Useful english dictionary

  • not touch smth with a ten-foot pole — consider something completely undesirable or uninteresting That class may be alright but because I hate the professor I wouldn t touch it with a ten foot pole …   Idioms and examples

  • not to touch (something) with a ten-foot pole — {v. phr.} To consider something completely undesirable or uninteresting. * /Some people won t touch spinach with a ten foot pole./ * /Kids who wouldn t touch an encyclopedia with a ten foot pole love to find information with this computer program …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • not to touch (something) with a ten-foot pole — {v. phr.} To consider something completely undesirable or uninteresting. * /Some people won t touch spinach with a ten foot pole./ * /Kids who wouldn t touch an encyclopedia with a ten foot pole love to find information with this computer program …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • not touch someone or something with a ten-foot pole — not touch (someone or something) with a ten foot pole (US) (or Brit not touch (someone or something) with a bargepole) informal : to refuse to go near or become involved with (someone or something) That investment is too risky. I wouldn t touch… …   Useful english dictionary

  • not\ to\ touch\ smth\ with\ a\ ten-foot\ pole — v. phr. To consider something completely undesirable or uninteresting. Some people won t touch spinach with a ten foot pole. Kids who wouldn t touch an encyclopedia with a ten foot pole love to find information with this computer program …   Словарь американских идиом

  • not touch with a ten-foot pole — not touch (something) with a ten foot pole to not want to become involved with something. If I were you, I wouldn t touch that job with a ten foot pole. Usage notes: often used as a warning …   New idioms dictionary

  • wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole — (USA) If you wouldn t touch something with a ten foot pole, you would not consider being involved under any circumstances. (In British English, people say they wouldn t touch it with a bargepole) …   The small dictionary of idiomes

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