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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.

"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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