Idiom
The ball is in your court
What does 'the ball is in your court' mean?
'The ball is in your court' means another person now has the responsibility to decide, reply, or take the next step. For example, 'I have answered your questions, so the ball is in your court.' Use 'in', not 'on', and put the correct possessive before 'court', such as 'their' or 'Priya's'.
Key points
- The idiom identifies who must act next.
- Use the fixed preposition 'in', never 'on'.
- A possessive word comes before 'court'.
- The expression does not automatically assign blame.
Can you use "The ball is in your court" yourself?
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
The full explanation
The phrase 'the ball is in your court' means that it is now another person's duty or turn to make a decision, reply, or take action before any further progress can occur.
We submitted the revised contract this morning, so the ball is in their court.
Why it works: The speaker completed the document submission, leaving the final review to the client.
2 more examples
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I gave Marcus both design concepts yesterday, and the ball is in his court.
Marcus now holds the responsibility to select the design he prefers.
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The manager answered every question from the auditors, leaving the ball in their court.
The auditors must now evaluate the answers and decide how to proceed.
Read the full guide
Deciding when to hand over responsibility
When you collaborate on a project, tasks move back and forth between people. You complete your part of the work, such as submitting a document or proposing a schedule, and then you must wait. At this point, progress cannot happen until the other person responds. Using the idiom 'the ball is in your court' communicates that your share is complete and the other party now holds the responsibility for the next move.
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I sent our project proposal this afternoon, so the ball is in their court.
Why it works: The speaker completed the submission and now waits for the partners to respond.
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We answered all the committee's questions, and the ball is in their court.
Why it works: The committee now holds responsibility for making the subsequent decision.
Your turn
When should you tell someone that the ball is in their court?
Answer: When you finished your action and the other person must take the next step.
Show the answer
Answer: When you finished your action and the other person must take the next step.
The idiom describes a handover of responsibility after you complete your part of a shared process.
Selecting the correct preposition
English idioms use fixed combinations of words that rarely allow substitution. With this expression, the preposition is always 'in'. The image comes from tennis, where players hit the ball inside the boundary lines of the opponent's side. Saying 'on your court' or 'at your court' is a common error among language learners. To sound natural in professional conversations, always memorize the phrase with the preposition 'in'.
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The quote has been delivered, so the ball is in your court.
Why it works: The correct preposition 'in' marks the boundary of responsibility.
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We provided our feedback, and the ball remains in their court.
Why it works: Even with verbs like 'remain', the preposition stays 'in'.
This also comes up in Give it your best shot and Eye to eye.
Your turn
Which sentence uses the preposition correctly?
Answer: The ball is in your court, so let us know your decision.
Show the answer
Answer: The ball is in your court, so let us know your decision.
The fixed idiom requires 'in'. Prepositions like 'on' or 'at' are grammatical errors in this phrase.
Attaching the proper possessive form
The word 'court' in this idiom must always be modified by a possessive form. You can use possessive adjectives such as 'your', 'their', 'his', 'her', or 'our'. If you name a specific person or department, you must add an apostrophe and the letter s to that noun. Leaving out the possessive indicator produces an ungrammatical phrase that disrupts the flow of your sentence.
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I forwarded the client notes, so the ball is in Priya's court.
Why it works: The name Priya takes an apostrophe and 's' before 'court'.
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We presented our findings, and the ball is in the director's court.
Why it works: The noun phrase 'the director' takes the possessive ending.
Your turn
Which option correctly identifies whose turn it is to respond?
Answer: The ball is in Alex's court after our meeting.
Show the answer
Answer: The ball is in Alex's court after our meeting.
Singular names like Alex require an apostrophe and 's' to form the possessive before 'court'.
Marking the shift from action to waiting
Native speakers rarely state this idiom in isolation. Instead, they structure their thought in two stages. First, they explain what action they already performed, often using past or present perfect verbs. Second, they introduce the idiom with a coordinating conjunction like 'so' or 'and' to show the resulting pause. This structure helps your listener understand why the next move belongs to someone else.
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We have uploaded the latest drafts, so the ball is in their court.
Why it works: The present perfect 'have uploaded' establishes the completed step before the idiom.
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I explained both options clearly, and the ball is in your court.
Why it works: The past action provides the justification for handing over the choice.
Your turn
Why do speakers usually mention their own past action before using this idiom?
Answer: To prove that their obligation is finished before the other person acts.
Show the answer
Answer: To prove that their obligation is finished before the other person acts.
Stating your completed action demonstrates that progress now depends entirely on the other person.
Separating next steps from personal blame
Learners sometimes worry that telling someone 'the ball is in your court' sounds accusatory or impatient. In professional English, the phrase indicates procedural responsibility, not fault or misconduct. It merely clarifies who has the authority or obligation to continue the process. You can soften the tone by adding polite expressions of support or by explicitly stating that there is no pressure to make an immediate decision.
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The ball is in your court, but take as much time as you need to review the data.
Why it works: The speaker gives responsibility while removing time pressure.
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The ball is in their court, so we should wait patiently for their response.
Why it works: The phrase establishes a neutral expectation of waiting without frustration.
Your turn
Does using 'the ball is in your court' automatically accuse someone of making a mistake?
Answer: No, it simply identifies who controls the next move in a process.
Show the answer
Answer: No, it simply identifies who controls the next move in a process.
The expression assigns functional responsibility for the next action, not personal blame or criticism.
Catching reduced sounds in spoken English
In fast conversational English, speakers do not pronounce every word with equal force. Function words like 'is', 'in', and 'your' become unstressed and reduced. The words 'is in' often blend into a rapid connected unit, while 'your' is pronounced with a neutral vowel sound. The greatest emphasis falls naturally on the content words 'ball' and 'court'. Recognizing this stress rhythm will help you identify the idiom easily in fast speech.
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Now that we finished the audit, the ball is in your court.
Why it works: In natural speech, 'is in your' connects smoothly between the stressed nouns 'ball' and 'court'.
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I sent the files, so the ball is in her court.
Why it works: The pronoun 'her' often drops its initial consonant sound after the preposition 'in'.
Your turn
Which words receive the strongest natural stress when this idiom is spoken aloud?
Answer: The content nouns 'ball' and 'court'.
Show the answer
Answer: The content nouns 'ball' and 'court'.
In English rhythm, content nouns receive primary stress while function words become reduced.
Avoiding common phrasing traps
Because this idiom involves a sports metaphor, learners occasionally introduce incorrect verbs or nouns. For example, speakers do not say 'the ball sits in your court' or 'throw the ball to your court' when handing over responsibility. The standard expression uses the linking verb 'be', or action verbs like 'put' and 'leave'. Stick to established patterns to ensure your workplace communication remains clear, professional, and idiomatic.
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We left the ball in their court after presenting our estimates.
Why it works: The verb 'leave' naturally conveys transferring the next step to someone else.
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Her recent email puts the ball squarely in our court.
Why it works: The verb 'put' emphasizes that an action shifted responsibility to the speaker.
Your turn
Which sentence uses standard, idiomatic phrasing?
Answer: We answered their email, which leaves the ball in their court.
Show the answer
Answer: We answered their email, which leaves the ball in their court.
English allows 'leave the ball in someone's court', but invented combinations like 'pass the ball to' or 'sit the ball in' are unidiomatic.
Closing a message with a polite handover
In written business communication, this expression frequently appears near the end of a message. It signals to a customer, manager, or vendor that you have supplied everything requested. When you write this sentence, follow it with a clear, polite invitation to respond. Stating what kind of decision you anticipate helps the recipient understand exactly what action they need to take next.
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I have outlined both options below, so the ball is in your court regarding how we proceed.
Why it works: The sentence clearly defines the scope of the decision required.
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All requested revisions are complete, and the ball is in your court whenever you are ready to review.
Why it works: A polite closing that avoids sounding impatient or demanding.
Your turn
What is an effective way to use this idiom when closing a professional email?
Answer: Pair the phrase with a specific description of what decision is needed next.
Show the answer
Answer: Pair the phrase with a specific description of what decision is needed next.
Adding specific context clarifies what action you expect and maintains a courteous, professional tone.
Common mistakes with "the ball is in your court"
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
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Not this:
The ball is on your court after our meeting.Say: The ball is in your court after our meeting.
The fixed idiom always uses the preposition 'in'.
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Not this:
The ball is in Alex court after our discussion.Say: The ball is in Alex's court after our discussion.
A singular person's name needs an apostrophe and 's' before 'court'.
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Not this:
After I replied, the ball is in court, so they must decide.Say: After I replied, the ball is in their court, so they must decide.
The idiom needs a possessive before 'court' to show whose responsibility comes next.
-
Not this:
The ball sits in your court after the review.Say: The ball is in your court after the review.
The standard expression uses 'be', 'put', or 'leave', not 'sit'.
Use it naturally
How people really use “the ball is in your court”
Neutral Fine almost anywhere, at work or with friends.
Words it often goes with
- the ball is in your court nowI've apologized, so the ball is in your court now.
- put the ball in their courtOur offer will put the ball in their court.
- leave the ball in his courtI'll explain the options and leave the ball in his court.
What people also say
- “It's your turn to decide.” instead of “The responsibility for the next decision belongs to you.” This is a simple, direct way to hand over the decision.
Questions about "The ball is in your court"
Can I say 'the ball is on your court' instead of 'in your court'?
No. Standard English idioms require fixed prepositions. In sports like tennis, the ball lands inside the boundaries of a court, so English speakers always use 'in'. Saying 'on your court' sounds unnatural to native speakers and is considered an error in both speech and writing.
We answered every inquiry, so the ball is in your court.
Does saying 'the ball is in your court' sound rude or aggressive in professional emails?
The idiom itself is neutral rather than rude. It simply states who holds responsibility for the next move. However, because it clearly hands responsibility to the other person, pairing it with short or blunt phrasing can feel demanding. To keep your tone polite and collaborative, combine the phrase with appreciation or offer assistance.
The ball is in your court, but please let us know if you need any additional data.
How do I use a colleague's name with this expression?
When naming a specific person, you must use the possessive form with an apostrophe and the letter s. Place the possessive name directly before the word 'court'. Never use the bare name without showing possession.
I forwarded the customer feedback, so the ball is in Daniel's court.
Once we upload the draft, the ball will be in the director's court.
Can I use this idiom in the past or future tense?
Yes. You can adjust the verb 'be' to match your timeline. Use 'was' or 'were' to describe past handovers, and use 'will be' for upcoming situations. You can also pair the phrase with verbs like 'put' or 'leave' to describe the action of transferring responsibility.
The ball was in their court all week, but they never replied.
Once we send the estimate, the ball will be in our client's court.
Before you go
Remember this
Use 'the ball is in someone's court' when that person holds the initiative for the next step. Keep the preposition 'in', insert the correct possessive form before 'court', and use the phrase after outlining the work you have already completed.
Stage 2 of 5
Listen
Hear it in real sentences, from short to long, and write what you hear.
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Listening 1 of 4
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0:00
- I gave Marcus both design concepts yesterday, and the ball is in his court.
- The manager answered every question from the auditors, leaving the ball in their court.
Read the transcript
Now that we shared our proposal, the ball is in your court.
The speaker confirms that their proposal is delivered, meaning the client must now evaluate it and decide whether to accept.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- I gave Marcus both design concepts yesterday, and the ball is in his court.
- The manager answered every question from the auditors, leaving the ball in their court.
Read the transcript
We gave our price clearly, so the ball is in their court.
Having stated the price clearly, the sales team now waits for the buyers to accept or decline.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "i-sin": "is" connects smoothly to "in", with a z sound at the join.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "i-sin": "is" connects smoothly to "in", with a z sound at the join.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "i-sin": "is" connects smoothly to "in", with a z sound at the join.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- I gave Marcus both design concepts yesterday, and the ball is in his court.
- The manager answered every question from the auditors, leaving the ball in their court.
Read the transcript
I sent our schedule by email an hour ago. The ball is in their court, and we can begin our work as soon as they reply.
The schedule was dispatched an hour ago, so the team cannot begin tasks until the other party replies.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
0:00
- I gave Marcus both design concepts yesterday, and the ball is in his court.
- The manager answered every question from the auditors, leaving the ball in their court.
Read the transcript
Carlos wrote an email with three venue choices early this morning. He also explained our budget limits and asked our partners for an answer. The ball is in their court, and we can make no reservations until someone writes back. We hope they choose our preferred location soon.
Carlos provided three location choices and budget boundaries; the event team cannot book anything until the partners communicate their choice.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
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Save my progressStage 3 of 5
Speak
Say it with the speaker, then use it in your own answer.
Shadow
Say it along with the speaker
Now that we shared our proposal, the ball is in your court.
Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.
Your turn
Say it your way
Speak for 30 to 60 seconds from memory. Imagine you borrowed your sister's favorite jacket and damaged it. You apologized and offered to repair or replace it. Tell a friend why your sister gets to choose what happens next and how you will give her time.
Use: the ball is in her court
Think for ten seconds, then answer out loud for as long as the task above asks, without looking at the lesson. Nothing is sent unless you ask for feedback.
0:00
Hear how someone else might say it
I borrowed my sister's favorite jacket last weekend and accidentally tore one of the sleeves. I felt terrible, so I told her right away and apologized. I offered to pay for a repair or buy her a replacement. I've explained both options, and the ball is in her court. It's her jacket, so she should choose what feels fair. I don't want to rush her, especially because she was upset. I'll give her a few days and make sure I'm ready to follow through when she decides.
Try once more and answer this: How did she react when you told her about the damage?
Stage 4 of 5
Write
Write about your own day or week using it, then write a message.
Write
Put it in your own words
- I used “the ball is in your court”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
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