Touch with a barge-pole - Wouldn't

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• express extreme dislike or aversion
  Emphasize a strong feeling of not wanting to be involved with something or someone

Examples of Touch with a barge-pole - Wouldn't

• I wouldn't touch that project with a barge-pole due to the high level of risk involved. The budget is unrealistic, the timeline is unfeasible, and there are too many unknowns that could derail the entire endeavor.

  The phrase "touch with a barge-pole" is a figurative expression that describes avoiding something that is undesirable or dangerous. In this case, the speaker is saying that they would refuse to get involved with the project under any circumstances due to the significant risks and complications. The phrase "wouldn't" is used in the contraction of "would not" to indicate the negation of the action.

• The CEO's management style is so abrasive that I wouldn't touch him with a barge-pole in a boardroom setting. His constant criticisms and unwillingness to compromise cause a toxic work environment that I want no part of.

  Here, the phrase is used to describe how strongly the speaker feels about avoiding the CEO's management style. The word "him" at the end clarifies that the CEO is the specific person being referred to in this context.

• The upcoming company event is so poorly organized that I wouldn't touch it with a barge-pole. There's no clear agenda, no designated speakers, and no plan for executing the program.

  This example illustrates the broad applicability of the idiom. The phrase can be used to describe a wide range of situations where the speaker wants to emphasize the degree of avoidance they are feeling.

• My sister's new boyfriend is so clingy that I wouldn't touch him with a barge-pole. He constantly seeks validation and approval, which makes him suffocating to be around.

  In this final example, the phrase is used to describe a personal relationship rather than a work-related scenario. The tone is more lighthearted and less formal, but the meaning is still clear: the speaker is detailing how strongly she is averse to this person's behavior. The phrase "my sister's" at the beginning sets the scene and puts the speaker's perspective into context.

• I wouldn't touch that project with a barge-pole right now.

  This idiom is used when a person wants to avoid getting involved in something that they find unpleasant, difficult, or risky. Using a barge-pole as a metaphor, the literal meaning of this expression is to keep a distance from something by using a long pole that can be used to push or pull a barge. Here, the speaker is reluctant to participate in the project for various reasons and desires to maintain a safe distance from it.

• The boss's latest idea for marketing is way out there. I wouldn't touch it with a barge-pole.

  In this example, the speaker is referring to the boss's suggestion as being too unconventional or impractical. The use of this idiom stresses the degree of discomfort or disapproval the speaker feels towards this proposal, and shows that they want to have no part in it.

• This job offer is too demanding for me. I wouldn't touch it with a barge-pole.

  This example demonstrates the flexibility of the idiom in that here it is used to describe a job that is too challenging or demanding. The speaker wants to avoid taking the job because they are not confident that they can handle the workload.

• The politician's campaign promises are nothing but empty words. I wouldn't touch them with a barge-pole.

  In this final example, the speaker is criticising the politician's campaign promises as being unrealistic or insincere. The use of the idiom demonstrates the speaker's strong feeling of distrust and unwillingness to associate themselves with such promises. Overall, the use of this idiom emphasises that the speaker is hesitant or uncertain about getting involved in the particular situation or issue under discussion, and wants to maintain a safe distance from it for a variety of reasons.

Conclusion

The idiom "touch with a barge-pole - wouldn't" is used to discourage someone from pursuing a certain action or task, indicating that it is not advisable or beneficial. It can also be used to express strong aversion or dislike towards something or someone. This idiom is typically employed to convey a strong sense of caution or distaste.

Origin of "Touch with a barge-pole - Wouldn't"

The origin of the idiom "touch with a barge-pole - wouldn't" can be traced back to the use of barges, which are flat-bottomed boats used for carrying goods on canals and rivers. A barge-pole is a long pole used to push or steer a barge. The idiom likely originated from the idea of not wanting to come into contact with something dirty or undesirable, as barges were often used for transporting heavy or unpleasant cargo.

Over time, the expression evolved to convey a sense of caution or aversion, emphasizing the idea of not wanting to be associated with something undesirable. The addition of "wouldn't" further emphasizes the strong aversion or refusal to engage with the subject at hand. This idiom has since become a common way to express extreme dislike or to caution against involvement in a particular activity or with a particular person.