Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
It Takes Two to Tango
It Takes Two to Tango English, baby! Video Lesson

Learn English meaning of 'it takes two to tango'

Date: Sep 15 2015

Themes: Friend, Romance, Soap Opera

Grammar: Tag Questions

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

What’s the best way to relax after a long week? Dancing, of course! When you dance, you forget your problems. You feel alive. Can a person dance alone? Of course! But many people prefer dancing with others. You can dance in big groups and small groups, but remember that it takes two to tango.

The tango is an Argentinian dance for two people, but this English expression means something more. Saying that it takes two to tango means that when two people are involved in a situation, both are responsible.

If two cars hit on the street, both drivers should make sure that everyone is OK. If two people are arguing, they should both try to end the argument. It really doesn’t matter which driver made the mistake or which person started the fight. Since it takes two to tango, both people should try to fix the situation.

Marni says that both Gary and Jessica should work on their friendship. Read on in today’s English lesson about sharing responsibility.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Gary

Gary

Marni:  Have you seen Jessica lately? It’s been ages since I’ve seen her.

Gary:  She’s been really busy lately.

Marni:  Is she enjoying being Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet?”

Gary:  I don’t really know. The last time I saw Jessica it didn’t go very well. I feel like I always say the wrong thing.

Marni:  You know, it takes two to tango. Does Jessica always say the right thing?

Gary:  I guess not. It’s just hard when I start thinking about how our relationship ended.

Marni:  I’m sure it is. You two aren’t ever going to tell what happened between you, are you?

Gary:  Uh… well…

Marni:  Never mind. It’s none of my business.

Gary:  I will say this: we both made mistakes. Like you said, it takes two to tango.

Marni:  It does! When I think about some of my past relationships…

Gary:  What do you mean?

Marni:  I’m not even on speaking terms with some of my exes.

Gary:  Really? That makes me feel better. Jessica and I talk, at least.

Marni:  You know, I think you two are going to be just fine.

 

Grammar Point

Go Super to learn "Tag Questions" from this lesson Go Super!

Quizzes

Go Super to take Quiz Go Super!

 

Lesson MP3

Go Super to download full lesson MP3 Go Super!

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Discussion

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Gary feels like his friendship with Jessica isn’t that great. It seems like he’s always saying the wrong things to her even though he doesn’t mean to. Gary and Jessica haven’t seen a lot of each other lately, so that probably isn’t helping the situation.

Marni tells Gary that both he and Jessica are responsible for their friendship… not just Gary. She points out that Jessica isn’t perfect and probably says the wrong things, too. Marni isn’t even on speaking terms with some of her exes. Knowing this makes Gary feel a lot better.

Is it Gary’s job to fix his friendship with Jessica? Do you agree that it takes two to tango?

 

Comments

Log in to Comment

ola3

ola3Super Member!

Ukraine

It takes also two to make an accident;)

02:08 PM Apr 08 2016 |

sheriz

sheriz

Indonesia

A good coorperation build a good team, so it takes two to tango.


Students who are studying in a group of work takes two to tango


Husband and Wife are a group of a family who take two to tango♡

01:58 PM Apr 08 2016 |

hirepaperwriter

United States

Gratitude extremely


05:10 AM Dec 29 2015 |

Venera28

Venera28

Ukraine

there is else one idioms: you need two hands to tire the knot

09:26 AM Oct 10 2015 |

1 person likes this

melissawilliam

United States

I particularly appreciated the points you raised earlier. 
Click here

11:35 AM Oct 05 2015 |

1 person likes this

La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

Hello, NavidArash,


You are right, it’s fun to see similarities between languages.


“A single flower doesn’t make spring” I like this one. I doubt I’ve heard the same idiom here before, but as for the meaning, we have similar idioms that stand for the same meaning, most are folk.


09:14 PM Sep 15 2015 |

NIJ321655

NIJ321655

United States

I love to Tango. it fun. I dance with friends.

02:03 PM Sep 15 2015 |

NavidArash

NavidArash

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Hi, La Princesse de la vie


It was surprising as well as pleasing to read this idiom in your comment “A single hand doesn’t applaud” because we have exactly the same idiom in Persian language too, I like similarities between different languages, It sounds pleasing.


Bye the way, how about this one? “A single flower doesn’t make spring”, It has the same meaning as the idiom you mentioned, It is so popular in Iran and I’m a little curious to know if such an idiom is used in Arabic?

01:25 PM Sep 15 2015 |

aijaciba

aijaciba

Latvia

We have a idiom “One billet doesn’t burn” with the same meaning.

11:51 AM Sep 15 2015 |

La Princesse de la vie

Egypt

No, He’s not the only one that should take all the burden on his shoulders. Jessica has to share some of it.


And yeah,it absolutely takes two to tango, unless you’re supposed to be the one who’s responsible for the mess your own hands brought.


In here we have a similar idiom “A single hand doesn’t applaud” It’s used more for triggering people to more collaboration to each other, that we need to help each other in bad and good.

10:03 AM Sep 15 2015 |

Likes (9):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast