| 释义 |
not touch (someone or something) with a ten-foot pole not touch (someone or something) with a ten-foot poleTo not want to become in any way involved in or with someone or something. Primarily heard in US. You might think John is attractive, but I wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole. He seems like a creep. Get that cocaine away from me. I wouldn't touch that stuff with a ten-foot pole!See also: not, pole, touchnot touch someone or something with a ten-foot poleCliché 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: not, pole, touchnot touch with a ten-foot poleStay far away from, avoid completely, as in Ronald wouldn't touch raw oysters with a ten-foot pole. This expression dates from the mid-1700s, when it began to replace the earlier not to be handled with a pair of tongs. In the 1800s barge-pole was sometimes substituted for ten-foot pole, but that variant has died out. See also: not, pole, touch |