The ball is in your court means it's your move: one side has answered, offered or sent something, and now the other side has to act. I've sent you two possible dates, so the ball is in your court now. Court is a tennis court, not a law court: the ball has crossed to the other player's half. In a work email, it's a polite way of saying I'm waiting for your reply.
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the ball is in my / your / their court; put the ball in someone's court
- I've sent you two possible dates, so the ball is in your court now.
- We have answered all their questions. The ball is in their court.
- The editor approved the outline, which puts the ball in my court.
What changed
First versionI've sent the documents, so the ball is on your court.
RevisionI've sent the documents, so the ball is in your court.
The ball is on your side, so on feels natural. But the idiom puts the ball in your court, inside your half of the tennis court. Replace on with in, and the phrase is fixed.
It's up to you means the decision is yours, even if nobody has offered anything yet. The ball is in your court means it's your turn in an exchange that's already going: We have answered all their questions. The ball is in their court. Take responsibility is about the whole result, not just the next step.
Your turn
I have done my part and am waiting for the client to reply. The ball is in ___ court.
Show the answer
their — You've done your part and are waiting for the client, so it's their move: their court. My court would mean it's your turn to act.
Write a short message saying you've sent some options and are waiting for the other person to choose. Use the ball is in your court.
I've sent the sample colours; the ball is in your court to choose the final shade.
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