Definitions
01the dance
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a dramatic dance for two people that started in Argentina.
n. a ballroom or social dance of Argentinian origin, typically in 2/4 or 4/4 time, characterised by marked rhythms and dramatic postures.
日本語:タンゴ※
Español:tango
“They took a class to learn the tango before their trip to Buenos Aires.”
“The couple performed a flawless Argentine tango, their sharp movements perfectly synchronised with the staccato rhythm of the bandoneon.”
Synonyms
02the music
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Music
n. a style of music written for the tango dance.
n. a musical genre or specific composition intended to accompany the tango dance.
“The band played a beautiful tango that made everyone want to dance.”
“The orchestra specialised in golden-age tangos, evoking the nostalgic atmosphere of mid-century dance halls through rich string arrangements.”
03the letter T
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. the word used for the letter 'T' when speaking over the radio.
n. the code word representing the letter 'T' in the NATO phonetic alphabet.
“The pilot identified the plane as 'Alpha Tango' over the radio.”
“In aviation communication, clarity is paramount, which is why 'Tango' is used to prevent phonetic confusion with similar-sounding letters like 'D' or 'P'.”
04an enemy or target
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun American English · Slang
n. a word used by police or soldiers to mean an enemy or a target.
n. a slang term used primarily in military or law enforcement contexts to refer to an enemy, suspect, or target.
“The team spotted a tango moving toward the back of the building.”
“The tactical unit confirmed that the primary tango had been neutralised before proceeding to secure the perimeter of the compound.”
05to dance
B1 · Intermediate
v. to perform the tango dance.
v. to perform the movements associated with the tango; often used in the idiom 'it takes two to tango'.
“The couple decided to tango across the floor as the music started.”
“While they could both waltz, they found it much more difficult to tango with the necessary precision and emotional intensity.”
Synonyms
06to interact or fight
C1 · Advanced Informal · Slang
v. to get involved with someone, often in a difficult or competitive way.
v. to engage or interact with another party, frequently implying a struggle, competition, or complex negotiation.
“He didn't want to tango with the legal department over such a small mistake.”
“The CEO was hesitant to tango with the regulators, fearing that a public dispute would damage the company's reputation during the merger.”
Etymology
Borrowed from Rioplatense Spanish tango, probably from a Niger-Congo language (compare Ibibio tamgu (“to dance”)).
From translingual Tango (representing the letter T), from English tango (see above).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/tango
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0