takes two to tango


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it takes two to tango

Two parties involved in a certain action or situation, especially a wrong that has been committed, are usually both responsible in some way (as opposed to it being the fault or responsibility of one alone). Your son blames mine for their fight at school, but it generally takes two to tango. We won't be able to get this deal underway unless your company is willing to compromise. It takes two to tango, after all.
See also: take, tango, to, two
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

(It) takes two to tango.

Prov. Some things cannot happen by one person acting alone. Alan: You're always arguing! Stop arguing all the time. Jane: I can't argue all by myself. It takes two to tango. Fred: Did you hear? Janice got herself pregnant. Jill: Well, she didn't do it all by herself. Takes two to tango, you know.
See also: take, tango, to, two
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

takes two to tango

phr. requires two people to do certain things. There’s no such thing as a one-sided argument. It takes two to tango.
See also: take, tango, to, two
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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