The Ball Is In Your Court!
The Ball Is In Your Court!
Have you ever heard someone say, "The ball is in your court?" It's a funny saying, especially since it doesn't always involve a ball or a court! This phrase is an idiom, which is a saying that means something different than what the words actually say.
What Does It Mean?
When someone tells you, "The ball is in your court," they mean that it's your turn to take action or make a decision. Imagine a tennis game: when the ball comes to your side of the court, you have to hit it back. The same is true when someone uses this idiom. They've done their part, and now it's up to you to do yours.
Where Does It Come From?
The idiom comes from tennis and other ball sports. In tennis, one player serves the ball, and then the other player has to hit it back. The responsibility, or the 'ball', is then in the second playerâs 'court'.
How to Respond
So, what do you do when someone says, "The ball is in your court"? First, understand what they're asking you to do. Do they need you to make a decision? Do they want you to start a project? Once you know what they expect, you can take action.
- Idiom:
- A saying that means something different than what the words actually say.
- Acknowledge:
- To show that you understand or recognize something.
- Timeline:
- A plan that shows when things will happen.
- responsibility:
- A duty or task that you are expected to take care of.
- decisive:
- Able to make choices quickly and with confidence.
- expect:
- To think or believe that someone should or will do something.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What does the idiom "The ball is in your court" mean?
- 2Where does the idiom "The ball is in your court" come from?
Where this passage belongs
About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
âThe Ball Is In Your Court!â is a explanatory article reading passage about Idioms, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (415 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.