ball is in your court

Short definition: The phrase ball is in your court means it is now your responsibility to take action or make the next decision, indicating that control has shifted to you and what happens next depends on your response or choice.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrase ball is in your court? This idiom is very common in everyday English, especially in conversations about decisions and responsibility. When the ball is in your court, it means it is your turn to act or make the next move. You will often hear it in workplaces, negotiations, relationships, and polite disagreements. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, with long definitions and realistic examples.

Forms: ball is in your court (fixed idiom)
Related: decision n., responsibility n., respond v.
Syllable: ball is in your court

1. (Idiom) Used to say that it is now someone else’s responsibility to take action or make a decision.

   When the ball is in your court, it means the situation depends on what you do next. The other person has already acted, spoken, or made an offer, and now they are waiting for your response. This phrase often appears in polite but firm conversations. It highlights responsibility rather than pressure.

   I’ve sent you all the details, so now the ball is in your court.
   We made our proposal, and the ball is in their court to accept or decline.
   She explained her concerns clearly and said the ball was in his court.

   Synonyms: it’s your move, decision is yours, your turn to act, responsibility is yours, next step is yours, up to you, you must decide, your call, waiting for your response, choice is yours, on you now, you’re in charge
   Antonyms: my responsibility, my move, decision is mine, I’ll handle it, my turn to act, on me now, I’ll take care of it, I’ll decide, responsibility is mine, my call, I’ll respond, action is mine

2. (Idiom) Used to politely signal that no further action will be taken until the other person responds.

   Ball is in your court can also be used to pause a situation respectfully. It suggests patience while clearly stating that progress depends on the other person. This meaning is common in emails, negotiations, and professional communication. The tone is usually calm but clear.

   I’ve answered all your questions, so the ball is in your court now.
   After the follow-up message, he felt the ball was in her court.
   We’ve done our part, and the ball is in their court from here.

   Synonyms: waiting on you, up to your response, your move now, next step is yours, we’ll wait, awaiting your decision, your response is needed, pause until you act, on your side now, response required, you must reply, your action needed
   Antonyms: we’ll proceed anyway, action continues, no response needed, we’ll decide, moving forward ourselves, not waiting, we’ll take the next step, decision already made, handled already, proceeding without you, no pause needed, resolved already