not touch with a ten-foot pole

短语

唯恐避之不及

发音

AU

别名

not touch something with a barge pole

释义与例句

v.
  1. 1.

    To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; signifies a strong aversion.

    唯恐避之不及

    习语

    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.

    Serious actors of the world wouldn't touch the part with a ten-foot pole.

  2. 2.

    To be unable (perhaps figuratively) to approach something or someone.

    习语

    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.

词源

Sense 1 attested in 1846; sense 2 in 1844.

来源：wiktionary