It takes two to tango

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

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.

Example Sentences

"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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