The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (584 page)
Read The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs Online
Authors: John Andrew Simpson,
BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
7.86Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
It takes TWO to make a quarrel
1706Spanish & English Dict.
s.v. Barajar,
When one will not, two do not Quarrel.
1732
Gnomologia
no. 4942
There must be two at least to a Quarrel.
1859
Geoffrey Hamlyn
II. xiii.
It takes two to make a quarrel, Cecil, and I will not be one.
1979
Times
3 Dec. 13
If it were not for the truism that it takes at least two to make a quarrel, the French and the Germans .. could fairly claim that the fault lay wholly with the United Kingdom.
anger, quarrelsomeness
It takes TWO to tango
Probably based on earlier sayings of the
it takes two to...
form (see above). Sung by Pearl Bailey, the Hoffman and Manning song (quot. 1952) was a worldwide hit, giving this saying instant international currency.
1952
Takes Two to Tango (song-title)
2
There are lots of things you can do alone! But takes two to tango.
1965
Listener
24 June 923
As for negotiation .. the President has a firm, and melancholy, conviction: it takes two to tango.
1974
Bridge of Magpies
vii.
‘We're not getting anywhere.’ ‘It takes two to tango,’ I said ‘I'll listen,’
1991
Times
22 May 14 Remember.
It only take two to tango, and neither of them has to be you.
1996
Washington Post Washington Business
12 Feb. 19
It takes two to tango in this refresh business. Both your computer's video card and your monitor must be capable of a given rate to achieve it.
co-operation
it takes two to...
form (see above). Sung by Pearl Bailey, the Hoffman and Manning song (quot. 1952) was a worldwide hit, giving this saying instant international currency.
1952Takes Two to Tango (song-title)
2
There are lots of things you can do alone! But takes two to tango.
1965
Listener
24 June 923
As for negotiation .. the President has a firm, and melancholy, conviction: it takes two to tango.
1974
Bridge of Magpies
vii.
‘We're not getting anywhere.’ ‘It takes two to tango,’ I said ‘I'll listen,’
1991
Times
22 May 14 Remember.
It only take two to tango, and neither of them has to be you.
1996
Washington Post Washington Business
12 Feb. 19
It takes two to tango in this refresh business. Both your computer's video card and your monitor must be capable of a given rate to achieve it.
co-operationTWO wrongs don't make a right
Similar to
TWO blacks don't make a white.
1783
Letter
2 Aug. (1951) I. 308
Three wrongs will make one right.
1814
Several Trials of David Barclay
249
Two wrongs don't make one right.
1905
Starvecrow Farm
xxiv.
He ought to see this!.. After all, two wrongs don't make a right.
1979
Daily Telegraph
24 May 14
If two wrongs do not make a right, three rights can make a terrible wrong.
1991
Washington Post
26 Apr.
Even in law school, two wrongs don't make a right.
1994
Too Many Cooks Spoil Broth
ii. 9
I had to lie slightly to cover for my rudeness … Maybe two wrongs don't make a right, but sometimes that's all there is left.
good and evil
TWO blacks don't make a white.
1783Letter
2 Aug. (1951) I. 308
Three wrongs will make one right.
1814
Several Trials of David Barclay
249
Two wrongs don't make one right.
1905
Starvecrow Farm
xxiv.
He ought to see this!.. After all, two wrongs don't make a right.
1979
Daily Telegraph
24 May 14
If two wrongs do not make a right, three rights can make a terrible wrong.
1991
Washington Post
26 Apr.
Even in law school, two wrongs don't make a right.
1994
Too Many Cooks Spoil Broth
ii. 9
I had to lie slightly to cover for my rudeness … Maybe two wrongs don't make a right, but sometimes that's all there is left.
good and evilOther books
Eden by David Holley
Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner
The Suicide Princess by Bryan, Anthony
Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh
Masters of Illusions by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith
The Absolutely True Story of Us by Melanie Marchande
The Chapel of Bones: (Knights Templar 18) by Michael Jecks
Mr Campion's Fault by Mike Ripley
Surrender to Me by Shayla Black
Love Without Rules (Contemporary Romance) by Goldman, Kate