pole (redirected from square poles)

*poles apart

very different; far from coming to an agreement. (Alludes to the distance between the north and south poles. *Typically: be ~; become ~; grow ~.) Mr. and Mrs. Jones don't get along well. They are poles apart. They'll never sign the contract because they are poles apart.

See also: apart

high man on the totem pole

Fig. the person at the top of the hierarchy; the person in charge of an organization. I don't want to talk to a vice president. I demand to talk to the high man on the totem pole. Who's in charge around here? Who's high man on the totem pole?

See also: high, man, totem

I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.

Cliché I would not have anything to do with it under any circumstances. (Said about something you think is untrustworthy, as in the first example, or in response to a remark that seems to invite a nasty reply, as in the second example. The British version is "I would not touch it with a bargepole.") Jill: This advertisement says I can buy land in Florida for a small investment. Do you think I should? Jane: I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. Jane: Can you believe this? Jill said she thinks I'm bossy. You don't think I'm bossy, do you? Mary: I wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole.

See also: touch

low man on the totem pole

Fig. the least important or lowest-ranking person of a group. I was the last to find out because I'm low man on the totem pole. I can't be of any help. I'm low man on the totem pole.

See also: low, man, totem

not touch someone or something with a ten-foot pole

Cliché not to have anything to do with someone or something. (Always negative.) No, I won't hire Fred. I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole. I wouldn't touch that job with a ten-foot pole.

See also: touch

up the pole

Fig. intoxicated. You sound a little up the pole. Why don't you call back when you're sober? She's up the pole and shouldn't drive.

See also: up

wouldn't touch someone or something with a ten-foot pole

Cliché would not be involved with something under any circumstances. I know about the piece of vacant land for sale on Maple Street. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole because there used to be a gas station there and the soil is polluted. Tom said he wouldn't touch Sally with a ten-foot pole.

See also: touch

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be in pole position  (British & Australian)

to be in the best position to win a competition

Usage notes: In motor racing, pole position is the best place a car can start from.

(often + to do sth) United are in pole position to win the championship this year.

See also: position

be poles apart

if two people or things are poles apart, they are complete opposites My sister and I are poles apart in personality. Our political views are poles apart.

See also: apart

I wouldn't touch somebody/something with a barge pole.  (British & Australian informal) also I wouldn't touch somebody/something with a ten-foot pole (American & Australian informal)

something that you say which means that you think someone or something is so bad that you do not want to be involved with them in any way If I were you, I wouldn't touch that property with a barge pole.

See also: barge, touch

the greasy pole  (British & Australian)

the attempt to improve your position at work His ascent up the greasy pole of academic advancement was remarkably quick.

See also: greasy

the low man on the totem pole  (American)

someone who has the least important position in an organization He started as the low man on the totem pole and worked his way up to be manager.

See lay low, lie low

See also: low, man, totem

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low on the totem pole

least important He's the low man on the totem pole here. AIDS deaths are low on the totem pole compared with cancer and heart disease.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of totem pole (a wooden pole with images of people and animals cut or painted on it)

See also: low, totem

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

See also: touch