not touch with a ten-foot pole

Alternative forms

 * (British)

Etymology
Disputed.

Verb

 * 1)  To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; signifies a strong aversion.
 * 2) * 1873. Ambrose Bierce (under the pseudonym Dod Grile), The Fiend's Delight
 * In conclusion, his respect for letter-writing ladies is so great that he would not touch one of them with a ten-foot pole.
 * 1) * 1999. David Morefield, The Guardian: I spy, the new 007:
 * Serious actors of the world wouldn't touch the part with a ten-foot pole.
 * 1)  To be unable (perhaps figuratively) to approach something or someone.
 * 2) * Francis Lynde, The Quickening:
 * On the contrary, my dear Mr. Gordon, it is because I do know him, or know of him, that I am turning him over to you. You are the one person in the world to obtain that coal lease. I confess I couldn't touch the Major with a ten-foot pole, any more than you could go North and get the cash. But you are his neighbor, and he likes you. What you recommend, he'll do.
 * On the contrary, my dear Mr. Gordon, it is because I do know him, or know of him, that I am turning him over to you. You are the one person in the world to obtain that coal lease. I confess I couldn't touch the Major with a ten-foot pole, any more than you could go North and get the cash. But you are his neighbor, and he likes you. What you recommend, he'll do.

Usage notes

 * This expression is almost always used in the negative.

Translations

 * Chinese:
 * Mandarin: 唯恐避之不及
 * Danish: ikke røre med en ildtang
 * Finnish: olla koskematta pitkällä tikullakaan
 * French: éviter à tout prix
 * German: mit der Kneifzange nicht anfassen
 * Hungarian: bottal sem piszkálná meg
 * Italian: essere come il diavolo e l'acqua santa
 * Polish: unikać za wszelką cenę
 * Russian: обходи́ть за версту́
 * Spanish: no tocar ni con un palo
 * Swedish: inte ta i med tång