Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

it takes two to tango

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.57 in modern English

Syllables: it -takes t-wo -to -tan-go
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

17

Letters

6

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

Some things need the active cooperation of two parties; blame is to be laid on both parties in a conflict.

Example Sentences

"I can't do it by myself, and neither can you – it takes two to tango."
"He started it! Well, it takes two to tango."

Etymology

From the song Takes Two to Tango, written and composed in 1952 by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning.

Phrases

it takes two to tangle

Frequently Paired Words

tango

Questions

What does it takes two to tango mean?: Some things need the active cooperation of two parties; blame is to be laid on both parties in a conflict.
Where does it takes two to tango come from?: From the song Takes Two to Tango, written and composed in 1952 by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning.

How to pronounce it takes two to tango

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “it takes two to tango”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “it takes two to tango”.
Repeat and practice — Say “it takes two to tango” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.