Idiom: It takes two to tango

 

"It takes two to tango."


Meaning

  • You say "It takes two to tango" when you want to emphasize that both people involved in a difficult situation must accept the blame, or that an activity needs two people who are willing to take part for it to happen
  • Certain actions or activities cannot be performed alone – they  need two people to participate.
  • Both people involved in a situation are equally responsible for it.
  • Actions or communication need more than one person.

Origin

The phrase refers to the South American dance tango, which requires two partners to perform. It originated in a 1952 song Takes Two to Tango by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and gained popularity subsequently as an expression.


Example Sentences

  • She may want to argue, but it takes two to tango and I won't stoop to her level.
  • Divorce is never the fault of one partner; it takes two to tango.
  • We will never reach an agreement unless we sit down for a discussion. It takes two to tango. 
  • If you want to play that game, you need a partner who will play with you. It takes two to tango.
  • I cannot do this all alone, neither can you – it takes two to tango. 
  • You can't blame the woman for your husband's affair since it takes two to tango.
  • I've tried everything to stop our marriage falling apart. But it takes two to tango and, so far, my husband has made no effort to save our relationship.
  • You can't blame me for this argument. It takes two to tango.
  • In order to make this work, the two of you have to work together. After all, it takes two to tango.
  • Love, affection and honesty are the main bases for a stable and loving parent-child relationship. Fights are rarely the fault of one alone - it takes two to tango.
  • You’re never going to be able to do that by yourself, it takes two to tango.
  • He seems to have forgotten, to make a relationship work it takes two to tango.


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