In tango, “breaking hold” means leaving the required partner embrace or frame instead of staying continuously connected in the proper ballroom/tango position.

Core meaning in ballroom/DWTS context

On shows like Dancing With the Stars , certain dances (including tango) are supposed to be danced “in hold” almost the entire time.

  • “In hold” means:
    • Closed ballroom frame, with the leader’s right hand on the partner’s back and the follower’s left arm resting or hooked on the leader’s arm/shoulder in a stable frame.
* Bodies kept relatively close, moving as a unit across the floor.
  • “Breaking hold” usually means:
    • Letting go of that frame so the partners separate, turn away, or move into open choreography.
    • Staying apart for longer than the judges allow for that style, which can lead to penalties or criticism.

Technical vs informal uses of “break”

There are a couple of more specific or technical senses you might also see:

  • Traditional ballroom/tango definition:
    • Breaking the classic position where the follower’s left arm is bent and resting on the leader’s bent right arm, i.e., leaving that standard starting pose.
  • Argentine tango “break” (quebrada):
    • A named figure/pose where the follower may stand on one foot with the other relaxed behind, often leaning weight into the partner, creating a “broken” line or level change.
* This is more a stylized move than a judging rule, but it reflects the same idea of a **break** in line or level.

Why judges care about “breaking hold”

On competition or TV:

  • Tango and quickstep are expected to keep hold through most of the middle of the dance, with only brief “messing about” allowed at the very start or end.
  • If a couple separates, does side-by-side tricks, or includes contemporary-style movement for too long, judges say they “broke hold” and may mark them down.

In social/Argentine tango

In the social world, breaking the embrace (the hug-like tango connection) is more a matter of style, comfort, and etiquette:

  • Dancers sometimes open or break the embrace:
    • To adjust, cool down, or wipe sweat during a difficult or fast song.
* To reset connection between songs or change partners.
  • Some dancers prefer staying in close embrace; others are fine with occasional breaks, as long as it matches the music and both partners feel comfortable.

So when someone says “break hold in a tango,” they usually mean stepping out of the required partner frame or embrace—on TV that’s a rule issue, while in social dancing it’s a stylistic or comfort choice.