tango
- 01 B1 Intermediate
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.
Simple“They took a class to learn the tango before their trip to Buenos Aires.”
In context“The couple performed a flawless Argentine tango, their sharp movements perfectly synchronised with the staccato rhythm of the bandoneon.”
Synonymsballroom dance - 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a style of music written for the tango dance.
n.a musical genre or specific composition intended to accompany the tango dance.
Simple“The band played a beautiful tango that made everyone want to dance.”
In context“The orchestra specialised in golden-age tangos, evoking the nostalgic atmosphere of mid-century dance halls through rich string arrangements.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The pilot identified the plane as 'Alpha Tango' over the radio.”
In context“In aviation communication, clarity is paramount, which is why 'Tango' is used to prevent phonetic confusion with similar-sounding letters like 'D' or 'P'.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The team spotted a tango moving toward the back of the building.”
In context“The tactical unit confirmed that the primary tango had been neutralised before proceeding to secure the perimeter of the compound.”
- 05 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'.
Simple“The couple decided to tango across the floor as the music started.”
In context“While they could both waltz, they found it much more difficult to tango with the necessary precision and emotional intensity.”
Synonyms - 06 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“He didn't want to tango with the legal department over such a small mistake.”
In context“The CEO was hesitant to tango with the regulators, fearing that a public dispute would damage the company's reputation during the merger.”
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.