
IdiomDaily Life
English
the ball is in your court
Meaning: It is now your turn to act or decide.
Example: “I've made my offer; the ball is in your court.”
Origin: From tennis, where play waits on the player the ball has been hit to. The figurative use became common in the mid-20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: La balle est dans votre camp Literally: The ball is in your camp
More English idioms
- a banana republic A small, politically unstable country dominated by a corrupt elite or foreign business.
- go under the knife To have a surgical operation.
- a whipping boy Someone who is blamed or punished for the faults of others.
- the life of the party A lively, fun person who makes a gathering enjoyable.
- kick against the pricks To resist authority or fate in a way that only hurts oneself.
- hell for leather As fast as possible.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- Unique New York. Three words that jam the 'y/n/k' sequence together — repeat it and it collapses into 'you…
- Pad kid poured curd pulled cod. Alternating repetition — the consonants swap at the start of every other word, which is w…
- Red lorry, yellow lorry. The 'l/r' alternation drill — deceptively short, yet almost impossible to say fast withou…
Keep exploring