It takes two to tango

Certain activities cannot be performed alone — such as quarreling, making love, and dancing the tango.

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Idioms and Phrases

The active cooperation of both parties is needed for some enterprises, as in We'll never pass this bill unless both parties work out a compromise—it takes two to tango. This expression dates from the 1920s, when the Latin American tango became a very popular dance. It was popularized by the singer Pearl Bailey in her 1952 hit song of that name written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning.

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Example Sentences

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"If you've got something, give it. I stand ready to receive it and engage with them, but it takes two to tango."

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Seitz said, though he believes in the latter, the Ohio Senate had objections to it - and “it takes two to tango.”

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“If that were in the cards we would love to do that, but it takes two to tango.”

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After all, it takes two to tango — or boléro.

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But it takes two to tango — and to negotiate.

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it takes one to know one itty-bitty

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