How do you use "The ball is in your court" in a sentence?

I've made my offer—the ball's in your court now. We've done everything we can. The ball is in their court. I told him how I feel. The ball's in his court.

The ball is in your court

Q: What does "The ball is in your court" mean?

It's your turn to take action or make a decision From tennis, where the ball being in your court means it's your turn to hit it. In conversation, means the next move is up to you—you have the power and responsibility to decide.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: It's your turn to take action or make a decision

轮到你采取行动或做决定了

Es tu turno de actuar o tomar una decisión

次はあなたが行動する番

이제 당신이 행동하거나 결정할 차례이다

From tennis, where the ball being in your court means it's your turn to hit it. In conversation, means the next move is up to you—you have the power and responsibility to decide.

来自网球，球在你的场地里意味着轮到你击球。在对话中，意味着下一步取决于你——你有权力和责任来做决定。

Del tenis, donde la pelota en tu campo significa que es tu turno de golpearla. En conversación, significa que el siguiente movimiento depende de ti: tienes el poder y la responsabilidad de decidir.

テニスに由来し、ボールが相手のコートにあるということは相手が打つ番という意味。会話では、次の一手はあなた次第——決定する力と責任があなたにあるという意味。

테니스에서 공이 상대 코트에 있으면 상대가 칠 차례인 것에서 유래한 표현입니다. 대화에서는 다음 행동이 당신에게 달려 있다는 의미로, 결정할 권한과 책임이 당신에게 있음을 나타냅니다.

Examples

I've made my offer—the ball's in your court now.
我已经提出了报价，现在该你决定了
he hecho mi oferta, ahora la pelota está en tu tejado
提案はした。あとはそちら次第だ
제안은 했으니—이제 당신 차례입니다.
We've done everything we can. The ball is in their court.
我们已经尽力了，现在该他们了
hemos hecho todo lo que hemos podido, la pelota está en su tejado
できることはすべてやった。あとは向こう次第だ
우리가 할 수 있는 건 다 했어. 이제 그쪽 차례야.
I told him how I feel. The ball's in his court.
我告诉他我的感受了，接下来看他了
le dije lo que siento, la pelota está en su tejado
彼に気持ちを伝えた。あとは彼次第だ
내 마음을 전했어. 이제 그 사람 차례야.

Pronunciation

/bɔːl ɪn jɔː kɔːt/

Usage Guide

Context: decisions, negotiations, relationships

Tone: businesslike, matter-of-fact

✓ Do Say

The ball's in your court
球在你那边了
la pelota está en tu tejado
あとはあなた次第
이제 당신 차례야
Ball's in their court
轮到他们了
la pelota está en su tejado
あとは向こう次第
이제 그쪽 차례야

✗ Don't Say

Common in business and relationship contexts
在商务和人际关系中很常见
Muy común en contextos de negocios y relaciones
ビジネスや人間関係の場面でよく使われる
비즈니스와 인간관계 맥락에서 자주 사용됨

Common Mistakes

None—very clear metaphor

Origin & History

Tennis metaphor from the early 20th century. When the ball is in your court, only you can play it—the other person has done their part and must wait for your response.

Etymology: From tennis court positioning

First recorded: Early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Business negotiations; Relationship discussions

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Ball's in your courtThe ball is in your court