not touch something with a ten-foot pole

In conclusion, his respect for letter-writing ladies is so great that he would not touch one of them with a ten-foot pole.

On the contrary, my dear Mr. Gordon, it is because I do know him, or know of him, that I am turning him over to you. You are the one person in the world to obtain that coal lease. I confess I couldn't touch the Major with a ten-foot pole, any more than you could go North and get the cash. But you are his neighbor, and he likes you. What you recommend, he'll do.