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not touch something with a barge pole

To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; (signifies a strong aversion).

Etymology:

  • Probably derived from the barge poles that bargemen used to fend off wharfs and other boats.
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Submitted on July 07, 2010

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to not touch something with a barge pole

not win for losingnot worth a brass farthingnot wanted on voyagenot verynot worth a plug nickelnot the sharpest knife in the drawernot to saynot to put too fine a point on itnot up to scratchnot that there's anything wrong with th…not so fastnot touch something with a ten foot polenot worth a hill of beansnot see straight

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    "not touch something with a barge pole." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/not-touch-something-with-a-barge-pole_13856>.

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