not touch with a ten-foot pole
(Redirected from not touch something with a ten foot pole)
English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- not touch something with a barge pole (British)
Etymology[edit]
Disputed.
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb[edit]
not touch (something) with a ten-foot pole
- (idiomatic) To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; signifies a strong aversion.
- 1873. Ambrose Bierce (under the pseudonym Dod Grile), The Fiend's Delight
- In conclusion, his respect for letter-writing ladies is so great that he would not touch one of them with a ten-foot pole.
- 1912, Ambrose Bierce, “A Providential Intimation”, in The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce[1], volume 8:
- ... the stock's gone up from nothin' out o' sight. You couldn't tech that stock with a ten-foot pole!
- 1999. David Morefield, The Guardian: I spy, the new 007:
- Serious actors of the world wouldn't touch the part with a ten-foot pole.
- 1873. Ambrose Bierce (under the pseudonym Dod Grile), The Fiend's Delight
- (idiomatic) To be unable (perhaps figuratively) to approach something or someone.
- Francis Lynde, The Quickening:
- 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 couldn't 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, he'll do.
- Francis Lynde, The Quickening:
Usage notes[edit]
This expression is nearly always used in the negative.
Translations[edit]
to avoid at all costs
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