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bargepole

British  
/ ˈbɑːdʒˌpəʊl /

noun

  1. a long pole used to propel a barge

  2. informal to refuse to have anything to do with

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"You, and your minions, wouldn't recognize civilization even if it hit you with a bargepole."

From Salon Oct. 30, 2021

However, great British songwriters and performers don't want to touch Eurovision with a bargepole, partly in case they flop too and partly... because it's Eurovision.

From BBC May 20, 2019

It’s being written about in the sort of hifalutin publications that wouldn’t have smacked Huda Boss with a bargepole, and this has helped to announce Facebook Watch as a going concern.

From The Guardian Sep. 26, 2018

Auctioneer James Thompson said some people "wouldn't touch anything Nazi with a bargepole", but others believe the book should be preserved, despite Hitler's appalling reign.

From BBC Jun. 14, 2017

The type of thing the studios won’t touch with a bargepole, in other words.

From The Guardian Dec. 3, 2015

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