介绍:
1）Take two to tango
-Although Princess Diane, blamed Prince Charlie for ending the marriage, it takes two to tango.
-We'll never pass the liberal bill in congress since it takes two parties to tango.
-Don't blame the armed rebel groups for mining blood diamonds. The American married couples' demand for diamonds means that it takes two to tango.
Definition: The active cooperation of both parties is needed for some enterprises. It also means both people involved in a bad situation are responsible for it.
Etymology: This expression dates from the 1920s, when the Latin American tango became a very popular dance. It was popularized by the singer Pearl Bailey in her 1952 hit song of that name written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning.
Other examples:
A. If a relationship failed to work out, some people tend to blame the other party for the failure. In fact it takes two to tango!
B. We are a pair! It takes two to tango. We both need to work hard to finish the project.
2) Cut corners
-It is no wonder the nuclear power station had a meltdown, the construction team cut many corners.
-The ship broke down because the maintenance team cut corners on the repairs.
-It is hard to blame the poor restaurant owners in that city for cutting corners, since rent is so high.
Definition: When something is done badly to save money.
Etymology: If one were speeding somewhere and took the shortest way possible through intersections. This can be done by making left turns that cut across oncoming traffic lanes.
Other examples:
A. He is very clever and also lazy. He cuts corners in everything he does.
B. The recipe for the moon cake is a good one. But she cut corners in preparing all the ingredients. So they don't taste that good.
3) Go back to the drawing board
-After Rick's business venture failed, he went back to the drawing board
-After flunking all my business classes, I decided to go back to the drawing board.
-Since the proposed law was too strongly worded, the committee decided to go back to the drawing board.
Definition: When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over. You can also say "Back to square one."
Etymology: The first term originated during the World War II, most likely from the caption of a cartoon by Peter Arno in The New Yorker magazine. It pictured a man who held a set of blueprints and was watching an airplane explode.
Other examples:
A. After the drug scandal, the film star decided to go back to the drawing board.
B. The couple is experiencing mid-age crisis. They love each other and decided to seek consultation. They believe that they can go back to the drawing board.
