# leave the ball in someone's court

idiom

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

## Meaning

To hand over the responsibility or choice to someone to make a decision or take action about something.

## Examples

- I sent the contract, so now I leave the ball in your court.
- I have made my final offer, so I will leave the ball in your court to decide.
- Having presented the necessary evidence and outlined the potential risks, the mediator chose to leave the ball in their court to reach a final resolution.

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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.