не подступишься

• НЕ <НЕЛЬЗЯ, СТРАШНО> ПОДСТУПИТЬСЯ; НЕ ПОДСТУПИШЬСЯ all coll

[VP; impers predic with быть (variants with подступиться) or neg pfv fut, gener. 2nd pers sing (last var.); these forms only]

=====

1. к чему ≈ sth. is too expensive for s.o. to be able to afford: к X-у не подступиться ≈ X is out of (my <your etc>) reach; X is beyond my (your etc) means; X is too much (rich) for my (your etc) pocket(book).

     ♦ Квартиры в этом райное стоят так дорого, что не подступишься. Apartments in this neighborhood are so expensive, they're out of our reach.

2. к кому ≈ it is impossible to address or gain access to s.o. (because of his importance, high position, arrogance etc): к X-у не подступиться ≈ you can't get near (within ten feet of) X; there's no getting near (talking to, approaching) X; X is impossible to approach; X is totally unapproachable (inaccessible); [in limited contexts] you'd be afraid to go (get) near X.

     ♦ Чернов теперь такой важный - не подступишься. Раньше я запросто заходил к нему в кабинет, а теперь надо у секретарши записываться. Chernov has gotten to be such a big shot that you can't get near him. I used to just drop by his office and see him, but now you've got to make an appointment through his secretary.