It takes two to tango is a common idiomatic expression which suggests something in which more than one person or other entity are paired in an inextricably-related and active manner, occasionally with negative connotations.
Contents
- History
- Variations on a theme
- It takes two to cooperate
- It takes two to make a bargain
- It takes two to make a quarrel
- It takes more than two to tango or something like that
- It takes two to tangle
- References
The tango is a dance which requires two partners moving in relation to each other, sometimes in tandem, sometimes in opposition. The meaning of this expression has been extended to include any situation in which the two partners are by definition understood to be essential—as in, a marriage with only one partner ceases to be a marriage.
History
The phrase originated in a song, Takes Two to Tango, which was written and composed in 1952 by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning. The lyrics and melody were popularized by singer Pearl Bailey's 1952 recording.
The phrase was reported widely in the international media when Ronald Reagan quipped about Russian-American relations during a 1982 presidential news conference. Reagan stated: "For ten years détente was based on words by them [the Russians] and not any words to back them up. And we need some action that they — it takes two to tango — that they want to tango also." Since that time, the tango metaphor has appeared regularly in the headline of the international press. The phrase has gained currency as a proverb in loan translation in other languages.
This expression has become a familiar proverbial expression; and it has also found its way into American legal writing, as in:
More generally in instances involving a dubious transaction, like a bribe, conventional wisdom in America and in the United Kingdom presumes that if one is guilty, both are.
Variations on a theme
The phrase is incorporated in the lyrics of the song "Takes Two to Tango", written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning about romance, but the open-ended possibilities of the idomatic expression are available for a wider range of prospective applications. One stanza of the song explains:
In 1972, American multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and record producer Todd Rundgren released his double album Something/Anything?, which includes "It Takes Two to Tango (This is for the Girls)", a song composed, arranged and performed by him.
Comedian George Carlin observed: "It takes two to tango. Sounds good, but simple reasoning will reveal that it only takes one to tango. It takes two to tango together, maybe, but one person is certainly capable of tangoing on his own." The phrase may be used for situations in which one person is being blamed, but two are actually at fault.
It takes two to cooperate
"It takes two to tango" may be used to mean that some things need the active cooperation of two parties in some enterprise—for example, as in the following comment:
It takes two to make a bargain
"It takes two to tango" may be used to mean "an agreement or a consensual bargain requires the assent of both parties for the deal to be deemed successful -- for example, as in the following exchange:
It takes two to make a quarrel
"It takes two to tango" may be used to mean "a quarrel requires two disputing parties," is an expression which is often used in situations in which both partners in the dispute should or could be said to share responsibility—for example, as in the following observation:
It takes more than two to tango, or something like that
This line was used by Adam Sandler in the film Billy Madison, in a misrepresentation of the common idiom.
It takes two to tangle
Similar to above, "It takes two to tangle" may be used to mean a quarrel that requires two disputing or "tangling" parties.