What does “The ball's in your court” mean?
"The ball's in your court" means that it is your turn to take action or make a decision.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I've done my part, now the ball's in your court.
Example
I've given you all the information you need, so the ball's in your court now.
Example
I've made my offer, the ball's in your court to accept or decline
Is “The ball's in your court” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“The ball's in your court” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “The ball's in your court” effectively in context?
You can use "The ball's in your court" to indicate that it is someone else's responsibility to take action or make a decision. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this phrase:
- 1Negotiation
I've made my offer, the ball's in your court to accept or decline.
- 2Responsibility
I've done my part, now the ball's in your court.
- 3Communication
I've given you all the information you need, so the ball's in your court now.
Similar phrases to “The ball's in your court”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “The ball's in your court” come from?
The origin of the phrase "The ball's in your court" is derived from the game of tennis. In tennis, when the ball is hit to one player, it is their turn to respond and hit it back. The phrase has been used metaphorically to mean that it is someone's turn to take action or make a decision.
Is “The ball's in your court” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "The ball's in your court" is a common expression in everyday conversation. It is often used in professional settings, negotiations, and personal relationships to indicate that it is someone else's turn to take action or make a decision.
What tone does “The ball's in your court” have?
"The ball's in your court" conveys a tone of passing responsibility or decision-making to someone else. It can be used in a neutral or slightly assertive manner, depending on the context.
Can “The ball's in your court” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "The ball's in your court" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that can be used in various situations, such as work, personal relationships, or even sports. It is commonly used in professional conversations, meetings, or emails.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I've given you all the information you need, so "the ball's in your court" now.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to decide, "the ball's in your court"!' to imply that it's someone else's turn to make a decision.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- it's up to you
- the decision is yours
- the responsibility is on you
- it's your call
- you have the final say
Antonyms
- it's my call
- the responsibility is on me
- i'll take care of it
- i'll make the decision
