not touch with a barge pole en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Probably derived from the barge poles that bargemen used to fend off wharfs and other boats.
Meanings
- (UK, idiomatic) To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; (signifies a strong aversion).
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| not touch something with a ten-foot pole | alternative | lexicographic |