IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchLa balle est dans votre camp
Meaning: It is your turn to act; the decision now rests with you.
Literally: The ball is in your camp
Example: “Nous avons fait notre offre, la balle est dans votre camp.” — We've made our offer; the ball is in your court.
English equivalent: The ball is in your court
Equivalents in other languages
English: the ball is in your court
Origin: From court games such as jeu de paume, the ancestor of tennis, in which the ball sitting on your side of the net obliges you to play it. The French keeps camp where English says court.
More French idioms
- Passer sur le billard To undergo surgery.
- Se faire blackbouler To be rejected, voted down or heavily defeated in an election.
- Une arme blanche A bladed weapon, as opposed to a firearm.
- Blanchir de l'argent To launder money.
- Au petit bonheur la chance Haphazardly, leaving the outcome entirely to chance.
- Avoir la bosse de To have a natural gift for something, as in avoir la bosse des maths.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- À chacun son métier, et les vaches seront bien gardées Things go best when everyone sticks to what they know.
- Pas à pas on va bien loin Slow, steady progress takes you a long way.
- Bien mal acquis ne profite jamais What is gained dishonestly brings no lasting good.
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