it takes two

it takes two (to do something)

Two parties are responsible for a certain action or situation in which they are involved. Your son is blaming mine for what happened, but it takes two to get into a fight. We're all ready for the merger, but it takes two to make a deal this big work, and the other company has been dragging its heels on the paperwork.
See also: take, two
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

it takes ˈtwo (to do something)

(also it takes two to ˈtango) (saying) used to say that something cannot be the fault or responsibility of one person alone: You’ve only heard his side of the story. It takes two to have an argument, you know. The company is ready to sign the agreement now, but it takes two to tango and the negotiations may continue for several days yet.
See also: take, two
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • battle of the giants
  • between two fires
  • come together
  • at each other's throats
  • chalk and cheese
  • be at each other's throats
  • (one, two, three) strikes against (someone or something)
  • cling together
  • in two
  • Box and Cox
References in periodicals archive
It looks and tastes great, but it takes two hours and uses nearly every pan in the house.
Feed your family for pounds 20 a week; With food prices up 20%, cooking cheap and healthy meals is hard. We challenged Flic Everett to feed her family for a week on pounds 20.