the ball is in your court

idiom/ðə bɔːl ɪz ɪn jɔːr kɔːrt/ 🔊 listen

The ball is in your court means it's now your turn to act or decide. Borrowed from tennis, it puts the responsibility for the next move on the other person — they must respond before anything can move forward.

📖 Meanings

1it's now your turn to act or decide
"I've made my offer; now the ball is in your court." — I've made my offer; now it's up to you to respond.
2the responsibility for the next step is on the other side
"We've done our part — the ball is in their court now." — We've done our part — now it's up to them.

🔄 Related phrases

💬 Common patterns

the ball is in your courtthe ball is in their courtnow the ball is in your court
❓ How do you say it's now the other person's turn to act?