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- not touch (someone or something) with a barge pole
not touch (someone or something) with a barge pole
not touch (someone or something) with a barge pole
To not want to become in any way involved in or with something or someone. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Ever since the tax scandal in our last company, employers won't touch us with a barge pole. Get that cocaine away from me, I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole!