Everyday Office Jargon · Managing Director level

"It takes two to tango"

"It takes two to tango" means that a particular situation or outcome requires effort, cooperation, or responsibility from both parties involved.

Say this instead: both sides need to act

How "It takes two to tango" shows up at work

Typically deployed when someone wants to distribute blame gracefully, or when a negotiation has stalled and no one wants to admit they are also the problem. The tango metaphor does a lot of diplomatic lifting.

Buzzword

Look, the partnership failed, but It takes two to tango here and we have to own our part.

Plain English

Look, the partnership failed, but both sides share responsibility and we have to own our part.

Corporate Rank: Managing Director · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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