A2 Proverb خنثی

It takes two to tango.

Both parties are responsible

معنی

A situation needs two people to be involved, so both share responsibility.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In American politics, this phrase is frequently used by commentators to describe gridlock in Washington D.C., suggesting that both parties are responsible for the lack of progress. While the idiom is English, Argentines are very proud of the tango. If you use this phrase with an Argentine, they might take the opportunity to tell you about the history of the actual dance! In the UK, the phrase is often used with a bit of 'dry' or 'understated' humor to de-escalate a tense situation without being too direct. Because Japanese culture highly values 'Wa' (harmony), the equivalent 'clapping' proverb is often used to remind people that maintaining peace is a shared responsibility.

💡

Use it to be diplomatic

If you want to tell someone they are wrong without being too mean, use this phrase to suggest that *both* of you are responsible.

⚠️

Don't use for crimes

Never use this if someone is a victim of a crime. It sounds like you are blaming the victim.

معنی

A situation needs two people to be involved, so both share responsibility.

💡

Use it to be diplomatic

If you want to tell someone they are wrong without being too mean, use this phrase to suggest that *both* of you are responsible.

⚠️

Don't use for crimes

Never use this if someone is a victim of a crime. It sounds like you are blaming the victim.

🎯

Shorten it

In casual English, just saying 'Takes two to tango' sounds very natural and native-like.

خودت رو بسنج

Choose the best situation to use the phrase 'It takes two to tango.'

Which of these scenarios fits the idiom?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: c

The idiom requires two people involved in a shared situation, like an argument or a project.

Complete the sentence with the correct words.

Don't just blame Sarah for the fight. After all, it _____ _____ to tango.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: takes two

The standard form of the idiom uses the verb 'takes.'

Match the response to the statement.

Statement: 'I can't believe the merger failed! It's all their fault!'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

The phrase is used to suggest that both sides likely contributed to the failure.

Finish the dialogue naturally.

A: 'He's so annoying, he always starts arguments with me!' B: 'Well, you always argue back instead of walking away. Remember, ________.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: it takes two to tango

This is the most natural way to point out that the speaker is also participating in the conflict.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Choose the best situation to use the phrase 'It takes two to tango.' Choose A2

Which of these scenarios fits the idiom?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: c

The idiom requires two people involved in a shared situation, like an argument or a project.

Complete the sentence with the correct words. جای خالی A2

Don't just blame Sarah for the fight. After all, it _____ _____ to tango.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: takes two

The standard form of the idiom uses the verb 'takes.'

Match the response to the statement. situation_matching B1

Statement: 'I can't believe the merger failed! It's all their fault!'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

The phrase is used to suggest that both sides likely contributed to the failure.

Finish the dialogue naturally. dialogue_completion A2

A: 'He's so annoying, he always starts arguments with me!' B: 'Well, you always argue back instead of walking away. Remember, ________.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: it takes two to tango

This is the most natural way to point out that the speaker is also participating in the conflict.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

Not always, but about 80% of the time it is used to talk about blame or arguments. It can be used positively for a successful partnership, but that's less common.

People sometimes say this as a joke if three people are involved, but the standard idiom is always 'two.'

Yes, if you are talking about teamwork or resolving a past conflict. It shows you understand that cooperation is a two-way street.

In this phrase, 'to tango' acts as a verb (the infinitive form).

The phrase has nothing to do with your personal feelings about the dance! It's purely a metaphor for any two-person activity.

No, it is still very common in modern movies, TV shows, and daily conversation.

Yes, 'it takes two' is often just a shorter version of this full proverb.

No, it specifically refers to a pair (two people or two sides). For a group, you might say 'it takes a village.'

It is better for a persuasive or informal essay. In a very formal academic paper, use 'mutual responsibility' instead.

The tango is known for its passion and the need for very close coordination/tension, which makes it a better metaphor for conflict than a waltz.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

It takes two to make a quarrel

similar

An older version of the same idea.

🔗

Both sides of the coin

similar

Considering two different perspectives.

🔗

Six of one, half a dozen of the other

similar

Two things are essentially the same.

🔗

Birds of a feather flock together

contrast

People who are similar spend time together.

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