🗣️ the ball is in your court
The Mental Picture
Connected to Games & Gambling. Picture a tennis or basketball match where the ball has traveled over the net onto your side of the court. The game cannot proceed until you decide how to hit or throw it back.
🎧 How Fluent Speakers Use It
- "I sent them our final proposal yesterday, so the ball is in their court now."
- "I've apologized for my mistake; the ball is in her court whether she wants to forgive me."
⚖️ Sound Natural
| ❌ Stilted / Direct L1 Translation | ✅ Natural Target Expression |
|---|---|
| "It is now their turn to make a decision or action." | "The ball is in their court." |
🧩 Quick Self-Test
Test Yourself
If "the ball is in your court," who has the power to make the next move?
Show Answer
You do! The other party is waiting passively for your response or decision before anything else can happen.