donbarzini":38s9t1e7 said:
steve_k":38s9t1e7 said:
mark stole money and amps from RT brothers
not touch something with a ten foot pole
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
EtymologyThis expression may have been derived by the 10-foot poles that river boatmen used to pole their boats with, along in shallow water, or from the barge poles that bargemen used to fend off wharfs and other boats.
Verbnot touch (something) with a ten foot pole
1.(idiomatic) To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; signifies a strong aversion. [quotations ▼]
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.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.
2.(idiomatic) To be unable (perhaps figuratively) to approach something or someone. [quotations ▼]
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.Ambrose Bierce, The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Vol. 8: ... the stock's gone up from nothin' out o' sight. You couldn't tech that stock with a ten-foot pole!
Usage notesThis expression is nearly always used in the negative.
Translations[show ▼]to avoid at all costsSelect targeted languagesItalian: (idiomatic) essere come il diavolo e l'acqua santa it(it)Swedish: inte ta i med tång
Add translation : More
masc. fem. neuter common gender plural
Transliteration: (e.g. ázbuka for азбука)Page name: (e.g. amo for amō)
Qualifier: (e.g. literally, formally, slang)
Script template: (e.g. Cyrl for Cyrillic, Latn for Latin)
Nesting: (e.g. Norwegian/Nynorsk)
[edit] See also not be caught dead
over my dead body
not touch something with a barge pole