PhrasesHub

The ball is in your court

    Definitions

      • responsibility or decision-making power is now with someone
        When someone says "the ball is in your court", it means that they are waiting for the other person to make a move or decision. This can be used in a variety of situations, such as a negotiation, a game, or a relationship. It is a way of placing the responsibility or power for the next action on the other person.

      • opportunity or advantage is now with someone
        This idiom can also be used to mean that someone now has the opportunity or advantage in a situation. It can be used in a competitive context, such as in sports or business, to indicate that the other person now has the upper hand and it is their turn to make a move.

    Examples of The ball is in your court

    • The negotiations have reached a stalemate, and it's now up to you to make the next move. The ball is in your court.

      This idiom is used to indicate that it's the other person's turn to take action or make a decision in a situation where no further progress can be made without their input.

    • After your presentation, the floor is open for any questions or comments. The ball is in their court now.

      In this example, the speaker is transferring the initiative back to the audience, who now have the opportunity to ask questions or provide feedback.

    • The team has been working on this project for weeks, but they're waiting for you to provide them with the necessary resources to complete it. The ball is in your court.

      This idiom is often used to point out that someone else is relying on another person to take action or provide something that will allow them to move forward.

    • The decision is yours to make. The ball is in your court.

      This commonly used example of the idiom illustrates that the other person is responsible for making a choice or taking a specific course of action, and that the speaker is not going to interfere or offer any suggestions.

    • After reviewing your proposal, it's up to you to make a convincing presentation to the board. The ball is in your court.

      The idiom "The ball is in your court" is used here to indicate that the person being addressed has the opportunity to take action and make a decision. The speaker has passed the responsibility or initiative to the other person, and they now have the power to proceed or retreat. In this example, the proposal has been presented, and the recipient must now work to convince the board to take action.

    • During the negotiation, the seller handed over the paperwork to the buyer and said, "The ball is in your court now. You make the next move."

      This idiom is used to indicate that the responsibility or decision-making power has been passed on to the other person, in this case, the buyer. Just as a tennis player has to hit the ball back after it has been served, the buyer now has the opportunity to make an offer or take some other action to progress the negotiation.

    • After the presentation, the manager asked the team for their feedback and said, "The ball is now in your court. I'm keen to hear your thoughts and suggestions."

      This idiom can also be used in a more general sense to indicate that it's now up to the other person to take action or provide input. In this case, the team has the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas, which the manager will then consider and potentially act upon.

    • The parents sat their teenage children down and said, "We've done everything we can. The ball is now in your court. It's time for you to take responsibility for your own actions and choices."

      This idiom can be used in a more emotional context, where parents are encouraging their children to become more independent and make their own decisions. In this case, the parents have provided guidance and support, but now it's up to the children to take ownership of their own lives and actions.


    Conclusion

    This idiom is commonly used to indicate a shift in responsibility or power. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from casual conversations to more serious situations. It is often used in a playful or competitive manner, but it can also be used in a more serious or confrontational way.

    Origin of "The ball is in your court"

    The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it is believed to have originated from the game of tennis. In tennis, players take turns hitting the ball to each other, and when the ball is in someone's court, it is their turn to make a move. This concept of taking turns has been applied to other situations, leading to the use of this idiom.

    Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the game of basketball. In basketball, the team who has possession of the ball has the opportunity to make a play and score points. This idea of having the ball in one's court can be applied to other situations where someone has the opportunity to make a decision or take action.

    Overall, the origin of this idiom may have come from the concept of taking turns or having possession in a game, but it has evolved to be used in a broader sense to indicate responsibility or advantage in various situations.