
IdiomDaily Life
Dutch
bij de les blijven
Meaning: to remain focused and attentive; to keep one's composure.
Literally: To stay at the lesson
Example: “Blijf bij de les, het examen is volgende week.” — Keep your eye on the ball; the exam is next week.
English equivalent: To keep one's eye on the ball
Equivalents in other languages
English: keep one's eye on the ball
Origin: Les is the lesson, and a pupil who stays bij de les keeps attending to what the teacher says instead of letting their mind wander. The phrase now means staying focused in any situation. It has no particular story behind it.
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