When "the ball is in your court", it is your turn to act and you must do something. Example: "The seller has offered us the house for $250,000; the ball is in our court. What should we do?" A tennis ball goes back and forth between two players; you must hit the ball when it is in your court. Communication and action can be the same way; one party acts, or speaks, then the other party is expected to respond. When it is your turn to act, "the ball is in your court". Example: "My uncle helped me to get an interview at his company, now the ball is in my court." The responsibility for action is now yours when the ball is in your court.