be on the ball (informal) estar al loro/tanto: We have over 20 orders for lunch every day so the new cook has to be on the ball. Todos los días tenemos más de 20 comandas para el almuerzo así que el nuevo cocinero tiene que estar al loro. JOKE: Why is Cinderella bad at sports? Because she has a pumpkin for a coach and runs away from the ball.
be quick on the draw (American English, informal) cogerlas al vuelo, reaccionar pronto (cuando la situación lo requiere): I had to be quick on the draw at the job interview. Tuve que reaccionar pronto en la entrevista de trabajo. ORIGIN: from the American West, when men would quickly draw a gun to shoot someone
get a wiggle on (especially American English, slang) darse prisa, moverse: If you want to catch that train, you'd better get a wiggle on. Si quieres coger ese tren, más vale que te muevas.
get cracking (informal) aligerar, ponerse manos a la hora: We've got to finish this by Friday so let's get cracking! Tenemos que terminar esto para el viernes así que, ¡manos a la obra!
get/put your skates on (British English, informal) darse prisa, aligerar: John, put your skates on, we're all waiting for you. John, aligera, te estamos esperando.
get your ass in gear / move your ass (especially American English, vulgar) / hustle your butt (American English, informal) mueve el culo: Someone should tell him to get his ass in gear. Alguien debería decirle que mueva el culo.
hit the ground running pasar a la acción rápidamente: I'm afraid there won't be much time for introductions. You'll have to hit the ground running. Me temo que no habrá mucho tiempo para presentaciones. Tendrás que pasar a la acción rápidamente. ORIGIN: probably from paratroopers landing in enemy territory
look lively/sharp (British English, old-fashioned, informal) espabila, aligera: Come on, look lively or we'll be late. Vamos, espabila o llegaremos tarde.
“Miss Hill, don't you see these ladies are waiting?”
“Look lively, Miss Hill, please.”
She would not cry many tears at leaving the Stores. Eveline (1914) by James Joyce
put your best foot forward aligerar el paso, darse prisa: I put my best foot forward and had the job finished by five. Me di prisa y terminé el trabajo para las cinco.
shake a leg (informal) aligerar, espabilar: Shake a leg, George, We only have an hour to clean the house. Aligera, George, solo tenemos una hora para limpiar la casa.
stir your stumps (British English, old-fashioned, informal) mover las patas: Stir your stumps or you won't make it to the post office. Mueve las patas o te encontrarás la oficina de correos cerrada. SPANISH: stumps = muñones
“There's the kid, Stubbs!” he said. “Stir your stumps, old man, and we'll collar him!” The Young Acrobat (1888) by Horatio Alger
