Signification
To remain attentive and focused, keep up-to-date.
Contexte culturel
In German offices, 'am Ball bleiben' is a highly valued trait. It signals reliability and 'Zuverlässigkeit'. If a boss tells you this, they aren't just giving advice; they are setting an expectation for your work ethic. Since soccer is the most popular sport in Germany, sports metaphors are ubiquitous. Even people who don't like soccer use this phrase daily. Teachers often use this phrase with students during the 'Abitur' (final exams) period to remind them that the long study process is a marathon, not a sprint.
Use it in Job Interviews
If asked about your strengths, say: 'Ich bleibe immer am Ball, bis eine Aufgabe gelöst ist.' It sounds very professional.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'auf dem Ball'. Even though English says 'on', German always says 'am'.
Signification
To remain attentive and focused, keep up-to-date.
Use it in Job Interviews
If asked about your strengths, say: 'Ich bleibe immer am Ball, bis eine Aufgabe gelöst ist.' It sounds very professional.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'auf dem Ball'. Even though English says 'on', German always says 'am'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing prepositional phrase.
Wenn du Erfolg haben willst, musst du ___ ___ ___.
The idiom always uses 'am' (an dem).
Which auxiliary verb is correct for the past tense?
Ich ___ am Ball geblieben.
'Bleiben' always uses 'sein' in the Perfekt tense.
In which situation is 'am Ball bleiben' most appropriate?
Situation: Your friend is learning guitar but wants to quit after one week.
This is the standard way to encourage persistence.
Complete the dialogue.
Chef: 'Wie läuft das Projekt?' Mitarbeiter: 'Gut, wir ___ ___ ___.'
The verb 'bleiben' completes the idiom meaning 'staying on it'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesWenn du Erfolg haben willst, musst du ___ ___ ___.
The idiom always uses 'am' (an dem).
Ich ___ am Ball geblieben.
'Bleiben' always uses 'sein' in the Perfekt tense.
Situation: Your friend is learning guitar but wants to quit after one week.
This is the standard way to encourage persistence.
Chef: 'Wie läuft das Projekt?' Mitarbeiter: 'Gut, wir ___ ___ ___.'
The verb 'bleiben' completes the idiom meaning 'staying on it'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsYes, you can say 'Ich bleibe an ihm am Ball' to mean you are keeping pressure on someone or staying in touch with them.
Absolutely. It is a standard professional idiom in Germany.
Expressions liées
dranbleiben
synonymTo stay at it / keep going.
nicht lockerlassen
similarTo not loosen one's grip.
aufgeben
contrastTo give up.
