have the ball in one's court
Alternative form of the ball is in someone's court.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I sent the email, so now the ball is in your court.”
“We made a final offer to the company, and now the ball is in their court to decide.”
“After the committee presented their comprehensive proposal to the board, the ball was firmly in the directors' court to approve the necessary funding.”
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026