Sometimes 'It Takes Two to Tango'
2020-10-11
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2The tango is a South American dance that is passionate and emotionally intense between two people.
3Our expression for today's program is: It takes two to tango!
4So, let's do the tango ... in an expression.
5Like the tango, some actions or activities take two people.
6You can't do them alone. Like a fight.
7Fighting with yourself, whether a verbal argument or a fist fight, would look really silly!
8And doing the tango by yourself might look silly too.
9We often use the expression "it takes two to tango" to describe a situation, usually a difficult one, where two people or two parties are equally to blame.
10We also use this expression when two people or two parties are responsible for getting something done.
11For example, some reforms in the United States will need both parties to come together.
12After all, it takes two to tango.
13Sometimes we shorten this expression by leaving out the subject and say, "takes two to tango."
14Here are more examples.
15We need to work together on this problem, or we will never find a solution.
16Like the saying goes, "it takes two to tango.''
17This project is too big for one person. I'll help you. Takes two to tango!
18We have a similar expression.
19It also means that two people are involved in something.
20The expression "two can play at that game" means what one person does, another can do too.
21We use this expression to involve ourselves in the action: We are going to do the same thing that someone else is doing.
22Let's say, someone plays a trick on you.
23They throw a balloon filled with water at you and you get soaked.
24You shout, "Two can play at that game!" And then you throw a water balloon at them!
25Usually we use this in an "I will get you back" kind of way.
26Here's an example.
27Look I know that you want the new job in the design department.
28So, I'm going to tell you something - something about Daryl.
29He wants the job too, doesn't he?
30Yes. And he just invited the boss to a football game.
31Did he. Well, two can play at that game. I will invite the boss ... to ... karaoke night.
32I don't think the boss sings.
33Oh. Football karaoke?
34I don't think that's a thing. But keep thinking.
35Now back to our first expression - it takes two to tango. Learning a language is difficult to do alone.
36So, join me here again next week for another Words and Their Stories.
37After all, it takes two to tango!
38Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2The tango is a South American dance that is passionate and emotionally intense between two people. 3Our expression for today's program is: It takes two to tango! 4So, let's do the tango ... in an expression. 5Like the tango, some actions or activities take two people. You can't do them alone. Like a fight. Fighting with yourself, whether a verbal argument or a fist fight, would look really silly! And doing the tango by yourself might look silly too. 6We often use the expression "it takes two to tango" to describe a situation, usually a difficult one, where two people or two parties are equally to blame. We also use this expression when two people or two parties are responsible for getting something done. 7For example, some reforms in the United States will need both parties to come together. After all, it takes two to tango. 8Sometimes we shorten this expression by leaving out the subject and say, "takes two to tango." 9Here are more examples. 10We need to work together on this problem, or we will never find a solution. Like the saying goes, "it takes two to tango.'' 11This project is too big for one person. I'll help you. Takes two to tango! 12We have a similar expression. It also means that two people are involved in something. The expression "two can play at that game" means what one person does, another can do too. We use this expression to involve ourselves in the action: We are going to do the same thing that someone else is doing. 13Let's say, someone plays a trick on you. They throw a balloon filled with water at you and you get soaked. You shout, "Two can play at that game!" And then you throw a water balloon at them! 14Usually we use this in an "I will get you back" kind of way. 15Here's an example. 16Look I know that you want the new job in the design department. So, I'm going to tell you something - something about Daryl. 17He wants the job too, doesn't he? 18Yes. And he just invited the boss to a football game. 19Did he. Well, two can play at that game. I will invite the boss ... to ... karaoke night. 20I don't think the boss sings. 21Oh. Football karaoke? 22I don't think that's a thing. But keep thinking. 23Now back to our first expression - it takes two to tango. Learning a language is difficult to do alone. So, join me here again next week for another Words and Their Stories. After all, it takes two to tango! 24Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 25Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. The song at the end is Louis Armstrong singing "It Takes Two to Tango." 26________________________________________________________________ 27Words in This Story 28passionate - adj. having, showing or expressing strong emotions or beliefs 29verbal - adj. spoken rather than written words 30fist fight -n. a fight in which people hit each other with their fists 31silly - adj. having or showing a lack of thought, understanding, or good judgement 32soaked - adj. made completely wet