The ball is in your court

How it is used

Common in negotiations and projects after an offer, proposal or reply: 'We've sent our offer; the ball is in their court now'. The pronoun changes: in your, their or our court. It comes from tennis.

Example sentences

1. I've answered all your questions, so the ball is in your court.

2. We've done our part. The ball's in your court: let us know by Friday if you accept the terms.

Common collocations

• the ball is in their court
• put the ball in their court
• the ball's in your court now

Related terms

• counterofferA new offer made in reply to an offer you have received, usually with a different price or different conditions.
• on the tableOffered or available for discussion in a negotiation or meeting; something that is 'off the table' is no longer being considered.
• get back toTo contact someone again later, usually to give them an answer or information that you do not have yet.
• offerA statement that you are willing to sell, buy, pay or do something under certain conditions, which the other side can accept or reject.

More terms: Office Idioms and Phrases

• touch base
• heads-up
• on the same page
• keep me posted
• ballpark figure
• bandwidth
• circle back
• low-hanging fruit
• get the ball rolling
• back to the drawing board
• drop the ball
• on my radar