People & relationships

It takes two to tango

Both people involved in a situation, especially a problem, share responsibility for it.

Examples

  • Don't blame only him for the argument – it takes two to tango.
  • The deal fell through, but it takes two to tango, so both companies made mistakes.

How to use it

Informal. Often used to defend one person against all the blame.

Where it comes from

Made popular by an American song called "Takes Two to Tango" in the early 1950s.