How do you use "The ball is in your court" in a sentence?

I've made my offer—the ball is in your court. We've done our part. The ball's in their court now. The ball is in your court on this decision.

The ball is in your court

Q: What does "The ball is in your court" mean?

It's your turn to take action or respond. From tennis—when the ball is on your side, it's your turn to play. Used when the responsibility for action has passed to someone else.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Significado: It's your turn to take action or respond.

轮到你采取行动或回应了。

Te toca actuar o responder.

あなたが行動する番、あなたの対応次第。

이제 당신이 행동하거나 대응할 차례다.

From tennis—when the ball is on your side, it's your turn to play. Used when the responsibility for action has passed to someone else.

源自网球——当球在你这边时，轮到你打了。用于表示行动的责任已转移给他人。

Del tenis—cuando la pelota está en tu lado, te toca jugar. Se usa cuando la responsabilidad de actuar ha pasado a otra persona.

テニス由来の表現。ボールが自分のコートにあるときは自分の番。行動の責任が相手に移ったことを意味する。

테니스에서 유래—공이 네 쪽에 있으면 네가 칠 차례다. 행동의 책임이 상대방에게 넘어갔을 때 사용한다.

Significado literal: Tennis ball on your side

Ejemplos

I've made my offer—the ball is in your court.
我已经出价了，现在看你的了
He hecho mi oferta, ahora te toca a ti
提案はした、あとはあなた次第だ
제안은 했으니, 이제 네 차례야.
We've done our part. The ball's in their court now.
我们已经尽力了，现在轮到他们了
Hemos hecho nuestra parte. Ahora les toca a ellos
やることはやった。あとは向こう次第だ
우리 할 일은 다 했어. 이제 그쪽 차례야.
The ball is in your court on this decision.
这个决定取决于你
Esta decisión depende de ti
この決定はあなた次第だ
이 결정은 네 손에 달렸어.

Pronunciación

/ðə bɔːl ɪz ɪn jɔː kɔːt/

Guía de uso

Contexto: negotiation, decision-making, responsibility

Tono: expectant, challenging

✓ Correcto

The ball is in your court.
现在轮到你了
La pelota está en tu tejado
あとは君次第だ
이제 네 차례야.
Ball's in your court.
球在你那边了
Te toca a ti
君の番だよ
공은 네 쪽에 있어.
Now the ball is in their court.
现在轮到他们了
Ahora les toca a ellos
今度は向こうの番だ
이제 그쪽 차례야.

✗ Incorrecto

It's your turn
It's your turn（轮到你了）
It's your turn (es tu turno)
It's your turn（あなたの番）
네 차례야
Up to you now
Up to you now（现在看你的了）
Up to you now (ahora depende de ti)
Up to you now（今度はあなた次第）
이제 너한테 달렸어

Errores comunes

Tennis origin
Very common in negotiations

Origen e historia

From tennis—when the ball is on your side of the court, you must play it.

Etimología: Tennis slang, mid 20th century

Primera vez registrado: 1960s

Contexto cultural

Era: 1960s to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Tennis; Business negotiations

Regional notes: Universal English tennis metaphor.

Variaciones

The ball is in your courtBall's in your courtBall in their court

Frases relacionadas

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Kick off ★★★★★ To start something; also to become angry (British). Throw in the towel ★★★★★ To give up or admit defeat. Touch base ★★★★★ To make brief contact with someone. Game plan ★★★★★ A strategy or plan of action. Par for the course ★★★★★ Normal or expected; typical for the situation. Front runner ★★★★★ The leading candidate or competitor.