• the ball is in your court = it's your turn, it's your decision.
  We already decided what to do, now the ball is in your court.
• out of left field = unexpected.
  Sheila didn't know what to do when she was asked that question out of left field.
• to get to first base = to reach the first stage of success in an attempt to achieve something.
  We will get to first base when we finish this campaign.
• to play the game = to accept the rules, to do things in the expected or usual way.
  If you want to be promoted, you have to play the game.
• to hit below the belt = to hurt somebody in an unfair or cruel way.
  His comments hit below the belt.
• to hold the aces = to have the necessary advantages so that you are sure that you will win.
  The Americans hold all the aces in space exploration.
• to give the game away = to spoil a surprise or secret by doing something that lets somebody guess what the secret is.
  Laura gave the game away by laughing just when Tom came in.
• a win-win situation = a situation that will end well for everyone involved.
  This campaign is a win-win situation.
• to kick off = to start.
  The meeting kicked off with the director's speech.
• to start/keep the ball rolling = to begin/continue something.
  To start the ball rolling, famous artists were invited to contribute to the campaign. To keep the ball rolling, people can donate their part too.
• that's the way the ball bounces = that's the way things happen.
  Paul was fired because he had stolen a computer, that's the way the wall bounces.
• to jump the gun = to start doing something too son.
  We have to take our time to think about this decision, so don't jump the gun.
• to take time out = to take a break from an activity.
  I have a terrible headache, could we just take a time-out?
• to touch base with somebody = to talk to somebody about something.
  I have to touch base with my boss before I present my resignation.
• to throw in the towel = to admit that you have been defeated.
  I have to go on until I succeed, I'm not going to throw in the towel yet.

We thank Bladimir Rodríguez (from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) for his suggestions.

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