leave the ball in someone's court

Meaning: (idiomatic)Tohand overtheresponsibilityorchoiceto someone tomake a decisionortake actionabout something.2016June 22,Somini Sengupta, “Saudis Question U.N. Leader Over Report on Rights Violators”, inThe New York Times‎[1]:His statement alsoleft the ball in the Security Council’s court, for it is scheduled to discuss the report in August. Saudi Arabia has powerful backers on the Council, including the United States.2022June 21, Michael Hogan, “Sherwood recap: episode four – have we found our Keats?”, inThe Guardian‎[2]:The no-nonsense matriarch paid a visit to Cindy’s grandmother Julie (Lesley Manville), alluding to how they had once been friends and noting that both families were misfits – the shady crooks and “the angry strikers in a town full of scabs”. After giving her blessing to the young couple, sheleft the ball in a shellshocked Julie’s court.2023August 12, “Harry Kane joins Bayern Munich and leaves door open for Spurs return”, inThe Guardian‎[3]:Postecoglou had revealed on Friday that Kane’s move was “imminent” after a breakthrough in negotiations between the clubs was reached on Wednesday night. Itleft the ball in Kane’s courtand he decided on Thursday to leave his boyhood club for Bayern, who will pay an initial £100m with add-ons potentially taking the deal up to an overall fee of £120m.

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