Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

not touch with a ten-foot pole

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.03 in modern English

Syllables: not -touch with- a ten--foot pole
IPA

40

Scrabble Score

24

Letters

5

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

verb

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

Example Sentences

"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."
"... the stock's gone up from nothin' out o' sight. You couldn't tech that stock with a ten-foot pole!"
"Serious actors of the world wouldn't touch the part with a ten-foot pole."
"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."

Etymology

Sense 1 attested in 1846; sense 2 in 1844.

Inflected Forms

not touch something with a barge pole (alternative)

Phrases

can't stand the sight of not be caught dead over my dead body

Frequently Paired Words

can't stand the sight of not be caught dead over my dead body

Questions

What does not touch with a ten-foot pole mean?: To avoid something at all costs; to refuse to associate with something; signifies a strong aversion.
Where does not touch with a ten-foot pole come from?: Sense 1 attested in 1846; sense 2 in 1844.

How to pronounce not touch with a ten-foot pole

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