not touch somebody/something with a bargepole

not touch (someone or something) with a barge pole

To not want to become in any way involved in or with something or someone. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Ever since the tax scandal in our last company, employers won't touch us with a barge pole. Get that cocaine away from me, I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole!

See also: barge, not, pole, touch

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

not touch somebody/something with a ˈbargepole

(British English) (American English not touch somebody/something with a ten-foot ˈpole) (informal) refuse to get involved with somebody/something or in a particular situation: I don’t know why she’s marrying that man. I wouldn’t touch him with a bargepole. ♢ I wouldn’t touch the job with a ten-foot pole.

A barge is a large boat with a flat bottom which is sometimes moved using a very long pole.

See also: bargepole, not, somebody, something, touch

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017