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Not touch with a barge pole Meaning in English

expression

NAHT TUCH WITH uh BARJ-POHL
NOT TUCH WITH uh BAHJ-POHL

Definition

This expression means to completely avoid something or someone because you think it is bad, unpleasant, or risky. It refers to not wanting any involvement at all.

Usage & Nuances

Extremely informal, mainly British English; rarely used in American English. Often used for things, people, or proposals considered repellent or risky: 'I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.' US equivalent: 'wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.' Can apply to both tangible and abstract things.

Spanish: no acercarse ni con un paloPortuguese (BR): não chegar nem perto - não tocar nem com uma varaPortuguese (PT): nem sequer tocar com uma varaChinese (Simplified): 避之唯恐不及 - 连杆子都不碰Chinese (Traditional): 避之唯恐不及 - 連棒子都不碰Hindi: कभी हाथ न लगानाArabic: لا تمسه حتى بعصاBengali: দূর থেকেও ছোঁব না - মাইল দূর থেকেও ছোঁব নাRussian: и близко не подойду - стороной обойдуJapanese: 絶対に関わらない - 触れようともしないVietnamese: tránh xa - không đụng đếnKorean: 절대 손대지 않다 - 가까이 하지 않다Turkish: yanına bile yaklaşmam - elimi sürmemUrdu: چھو کر بھی نہیں دیکھوں گا - دور رہوں گاIndonesian: tidak mau menyentuh sama sekali - tidak mau terlibat

Example Sentences

I would not touch that with a barge pole.

basic

Most people would not touch that job with a barge pole.

basic

She said she would not touch the offer with a barge pole.

basic

Honestly, I wouldn't touch that investment with a barge pole.

natural

My friends wouldn’t touch online dating with a barge pole after their last experience.

natural

After that scandal, no one would touch his company with a barge pole.

natural