Not touch with a barge pole

This expression dates from the 19th century and means that someone or something is so unappealing that one would not go anywhere near them. A barge pole is a long pole that was used to propel barges in the days before they became motorised. Barge poles were used in much the same way as poles are still used to propel punts. There is a similar American expression, which also dates from the 19th century, would not touch with a ten foot pole, which means the same thing.