# have the ball in one's court

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-the-ball-in-ones-court
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Alternative form of the ball is in someone's court.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.