In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the option which best expresses the meaning of the idiom or phrase "The ball is in your court".

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with a very common modern English idiom: "The ball is in your court." It comes from sports vocabulary, particularly tennis and similar games, but is widely used in business, relationships and everyday conversations. Exams often test such idioms because they are frequent in spoken and written English, and non-native speakers must learn their figurative meanings rather than translating them literally.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target idiom: "The ball is in your court".
• We must choose the explanation that best represents its figurative meaning.
• Options describe different situations: responsibility to act, opportunity, blame, or dilemma.
• The context suggests a decision point or next step in a process.

Concept / Approach:
In a tennis match, when the ball is in your half of the court, it is your turn to hit it back. The idiom extends that idea to decisions and responsibilities in life. When someone says "Now the ball is in your court," they mean that it is your responsibility or your turn to take action or make a decision. The approach is to remember this game-based origin and pick the option that reflects "it is now your move" rather than general opportunity, blame or confusion.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise the image: in a game, each side hits the ball alternately; when the ball lands in your side, you must respond. Step 2: Transfer this image to real life: the idiom is used when someone has presented you with a proposal, offer, or question, and now you must respond or decide. Step 3: Check option (a): "It is up to you to make the next move." This perfectly reflects the idea that you must now act or decide. Step 4: Check option (b): "You have got a fantastic opportunity." Although sometimes the responsibility to act can be a good opportunity, this does not capture the core idiomatic meaning and is too positive and narrow. Step 5: Check option (c): "You will be blamed for crimes that you have not committed." This introduces the idea of unfair blame, which has nothing to do with the idiom. Step 6: Check option (d): "You have been put into a dilemma." A dilemma is a difficult choice between two bad options, but the idiom does not necessarily imply difficulty; it simply indicates whose turn it is to act. Step 7: Conclude that option (a) is the only one that correctly and completely captures the idiomatic meaning.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard dictionaries define "the ball is in someone's court" as meaning that it is their responsibility to take action next. Example sentences include "I have done all I can; now the ball is in your court." This clearly matches option (a). Checking multiple sources, including business English examples, confirms that responsibility and the next step are the central ideas of the idiom.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• You have got a fantastic opportunity: Overemphasises the positive aspect and ignores the key idea of responsibility and turn-taking.
• You will be blamed for crimes that you have not committed: Completely unrelated to the metaphor of a game and introduces a wrong theme.
• You have been put into a dilemma: Suggests confusion and difficulty, but the idiom can apply even when the choice is simple; it only indicates that it is your turn to decide.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may be tempted by attractive-sounding options that reflect good news ("fantastic opportunity") or dramatic situations ("dilemma"). However, idiom questions demand precise recognition of the established meaning. Remember to ignore emotional tone and focus instead on what the phrases consistently mean in real usage across many contexts.

Final Answer:
"The ball is in your court" means it is up to you to make the next move.