#️⃣#️⃣#️⃣ Idioms and stable expressions. "The ball is in your court" 🎾
#️⃣ Meaning
The idiom “The ball is in your court” means that it is now your responsibility to take the next action or make a decision. You have been given the opportunity, and what happens next depends on you.
Идиома означает, что теперь очередь другого человека действовать или принимать решение — всё зависит от него.
#️⃣ Origin
This expression comes from tennis 🎾. When the ball is on your side of the court, you must hit it back — otherwise, the game stops. Over time, this idea moved from sports into everyday English and business language.
Выражение пришло из тенниса: если мяч на твоей стороне корта, ты обязан сделать следующий ход.
#️⃣ How it is used today
#️⃣ In modern English, this idiom is often used in:
1️⃣ everyday conversations 🗣️
2️⃣ work and negotiations 💼
3️⃣ family discussions 👨👩👧👦
4️⃣ situations involving choice or responsibility ⚖️
#️⃣ It sounds neutral and polite, not aggressive, which makes it very popular.
#️⃣ Examples with the O’Connors
#️⃣ After Sarah offered John two dinner options, she smiled and said,
“I’ve told you both ideas. The ball is in your court now.”
После того как Сара предложила Джону два варианта ужина, она улыбнулась и сказала: «Я предложила оба варианта. Теперь твоя очередь решать».
#️⃣ Alex finished explaining the rules of the debate club and added,
“I’ve shared everything you need. The ball is in your court, Tom.”
Алекс закончил объяснять правила дебат-клуба и добавил: «Я рассказал всё, что нужно. Теперь ход за тобой, Том».
#️⃣ When Lily asked whether she could join an athletics competition, John replied calmly,
“We’ve discussed it as a family. The ball is in your court — think carefully.”
Когда Лили спросила, может ли она участвовать в соревнованиях по лёгкой атлетике, Джон спокойно ответил: «Мы всё обсудили семьёй. Теперь решение за тобой — подумай хорошенько».
#️⃣ Common collocations and patterns
#️⃣ You will often hear this idiom with verbs like:
1️⃣ say → “Someone says the ball is in your court”
2️⃣ leave → “I’ll leave the ball in your court”
3️⃣ put → “They put the ball in our court”
#️⃣ Final thought
#️⃣ This idiom is a great example of how sports language influences everyday English 🏆. It is simple, polite, and very natural — perfect for real-life communication.
❕❕❕Now also on other social media platforms.
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