Auf dem Sprung sein.

Imagine a time before cars or even reliable public transport. If you needed to leave quickly, maybe for an urgent appointment or to catch a fast-approaching train, you'd literally be 'on the jump'. Think of a messenger on horseback, ready to leap into the saddle. Or maybe a soldier, poised to spring into action. It evokes physical readiness for movement. This image of being physically prepared to jump or leap became a metaphor for being ready to depart. It’s a very old, physical image translated into social readiness. It’s like saying you’re ‘ready to roll’ but with more flair.

Use auf dem Sprung sein when you are about to leave a place very soon. It's perfect for signaling your imminent departure. You can use it when you're talking to someone you're about to say goodbye to. It helps manage expectations. It tells them, 'Don't start a long conversation now!' It’s a polite way to say, 'I have to go, like, right now.' You could also use it to describe someone else who is clearly preparing to leave. It’s a signal of your readiness to exit. Think of it as a verbal cue for 'I'm out!'

• You're at a friend's house and check your watch. "Okay, ich bin auf dem Sprung." (Okay, I'm about to leave.)
• Your colleague is packing up their desk. "Bist du schon auf dem Sprung?" (Are you about to leave already?)
• You text your date: "Sorry, komme erst um halb neun, bin noch auf dem Sprung von der Arbeit." (Sorry, I'll be there at 8:30, I'm still on my way from work.)
• A vlogger ends their video: "So, das war's für heute! Ich bin jetzt auf dem Sprung!" (So, that's it for today! I'm off now!)
• You tell your roommate you're leaving for the gym: "Ich bin auf dem Sprung, bis später!" (I'm off, see you later!)

This phrase is ideal for informal settings. Use it with friends, family, or colleagues you know well. It’s great for everyday situations where you need to leave quickly. Think of casual meetups, leaving a party, or ending a phone call. If you're rushing to catch a train, this fits perfectly. It signals you're not lingering. It’s for those moments when you’re literally on your way out the door. It’s also good when you want to avoid getting drawn into a lengthy discussion because you have somewhere else to be. It’s a polite brush-off, almost.

Avoid auf dem Sprung sein in very formal situations. You wouldn't use it at a business meeting with your CEO, for example. It’s too casual for official events. Don't use it when you're leaving a funeral or a solemn occasion; that would be incredibly insensitive. It’s also not for situations where you need to be polite and diplomatic. If you're ending a conversation with a client you want to impress, choose more formal language. It’s not for situations that require a slow, graceful exit. This phrase is all about speed.

Learners sometimes mix up the timing. They might say they are auf dem Sprung when they've only just thought about leaving. The phrase implies immediate action, not future planning. Another mistake is using it in formal contexts. It sounds a bit abrupt and unprofessional. Also, confusing it with einen Sprung machen (to pop over somewhere briefly) can lead to misunderstandings. Remember, auf dem Sprung sein is about *your* departure, not a quick visit elsewhere.

• ✗ I'm thinking about leaving tomorrow. → ✓ I'm thinking about leaving tomorrow.
• ✗ I will leave tomorrow. → ✓ I will leave tomorrow.
• ✗ I am on the jump to leave tomorrow. → ✓ I am about to leave tomorrow.

Several German phrases convey a similar sense of leaving soon. Ich muss los (I have to go) is very common and direct. Ich mache mich auf den Weg (I'm making my way) is slightly more formal and implies the start of a journey. Ich bin gleich weg (I'll be gone soon) is also informal and emphasizes the immediacy. Bis bald (See you soon) is a farewell, not about the act of leaving itself. Auf Wiedersehen is the standard formal goodbye. Tschüss is the casual goodbye. Ich muss weiter (I have to move on) implies you're leaving one place to go to another.