What does "tango" mean?

1. (the dance) a dramatic dance for two people that started in Argentina. 2. (the music) a style of music written for the tango dance. 3. (the letter T) the word used for the letter 'T' when speaking over the radio. 4. (an enemy or target) a word used by police or soldiers to mean an enemy or a target. 5. (to dance) to perform the tango dance. 6. (to interact or fight) to get involved with someone, often in a difficult or competitive way.

tango

n. · v.

US //ˈtæŋɡoʊ// UK //tˈæŋɡəʊ// tan·go

1 the dance (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a dramatic dance for two people that started in Argentina.

a ballroom or social dance of Argentinian origin, typically in 2/4 or 4/4 time, characterised by marked rhythms and dramatic postures.

Example

They took a class to learn the tango before their trip to Buenos Aires.

Example

The couple performed a flawless Argentine tango, their sharp movements perfectly synchronised with the staccato rhythm of the bandoneon.
- ballroom dance
2 the music (n.)
B1 Intermediate Music

a style of music written for the tango dance.

a musical genre or specific composition intended to accompany the tango dance.

Example

The band played a beautiful tango that made everyone want to dance.

Example

The orchestra specialised in golden-age tangos, evoking the nostalgic atmosphere of mid-century dance halls through rich string arrangements.

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3 the letter T (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical

the word used for the letter 'T' when speaking over the radio.

the code word representing the letter 'T' in the NATO phonetic alphabet.

Example

The pilot identified the plane as 'Alpha Tango' over the radio.

Example

In aviation communication, clarity is paramount, which is why 'Tango' is used to prevent phonetic confusion with similar-sounding letters like 'D' or 'P'.
4 an enemy or target (n.)
C2 Proficiency American English Slang

a word used by police or soldiers to mean an enemy or a target.

a slang term used primarily in military or law enforcement contexts to refer to an enemy, suspect, or target.

Example

The team spotted a tango moving toward the back of the building.

Example

The tactical unit confirmed that the primary tango had been neutralised before proceeding to secure the perimeter of the compound.
- friendly
- ally
5 to dance (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to perform the tango dance.

to perform the movements associated with the tango; often used in the idiom 'it takes two to tango'.

Example

The couple decided to tango across the floor as the music started.

Example

While they could both waltz, they found it much more difficult to tango with the necessary precision and emotional intensity.
- dance
6 to interact or fight (v.)
C1 Advanced Informal Slang

to get involved with someone, often in a difficult or competitive way.

to engage or interact with another party, frequently implying a struggle, competition, or complex negotiation.

Example

He didn't want to tango with the legal department over such a small mistake.

Example

The CEO was hesitant to tango with the regulators, fearing that a public dispute would damage the company's reputation during the merger.

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Rioplatense Spanish tango, probably from a Niger-Congo language (compare Ibibio tamgu (“to dance”)).

Etymology 2

From translingual Tango (representing the letter T), from English tango (see above).

Idioms2 entries