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Not Touch Something with a Ten-foot Pole

What Does "Not Touch Something with a Ten-foot Pole" Mean?

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"Not touch something with a ten-foot pole" is an English idiom. It means "a variation of 'not touch something with a barge pole,' expressing a strong desire to avoid something."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "not touch something with a ten-foot pole" used in a sentence:
  • After hearing about the legal troubles, he wouldn't touch the company's stock with a ten-foot pole.
  • I've had bad experiences with that brand; I wouldn't touch their products with a ten-foot pole.
  • Given the potential conflicts, she decided not to touch the project with a ten-foot pole.
meaning for not touch something with a ten-foot pole

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Not Touch Something with a Ten-foot Pole" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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