the ball is in (one's) court
(redirected from ball's in our court)the ball is in (one's) court
One has the responsibility for further action, especially after someone else previously held responsibility. The phrase originated in tennis. Well, they invited you, so the ball is in your court now. Do you want to go out with them or not?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
the ball is in someone's court
Fig. to be someone else's move, play, or turn. (From tennis.) The ball's in your court now. You do something. I can't do anything as long as the ball is in John's court.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
ball's in your court, the
It's your responsibility now; it's up to you. For example, I've done all I can; now the ball's in your court. This term comes from tennis, where it means it is the opponent's turn to serve or return the ball, and has been transferred to other activities. [Second half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
the ball is in your court
COMMON If the ball is in your court, it is your responsibility to decide what to do next in a particular situation. We've made him an offer but now he has to decide whether to accept: the ball is in his court. Note: This expression refers to the game of tennis.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
the ball is in someone's court
it is that particular person's turn to act next.This expression is a metaphor from tennis or a similar ball game where different players use particular areas of a marked court.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
the ball is in your/somebody’s ˈcourt
it is somebody’s turn to speak, act, etc. next: I’ve given them a list of the changes that I think are necessary, so the ball’s in their court now.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
the ball is in someone’s court
phr. to be someone else’s move, play, or turn. I can’t do anything as long as the ball is in John’s court.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
ball's in your court, the
It’s your turn. The expression comes from sports and became current in the United States and Canada in the mid-twentieth century. It is sometimes put as “It’s your ball.” David Hagberg has it in Countdown (1990): “‘No,’ the DCI agreed, ‘As I said, the ball is in your court.’”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer