The invention relates to a device and a method for taking a sample of a filling, with which a hole in the ground is filled, having a container with at least one inlet opening for the inflow of the filling into a receiving space of the container. According to the invention provision is made in that a closing cap is placed onto the inlet opening and this is closed thereby. The container is provided with a compressed air line which leads into the receiving space, wherein on feeding compressed air into the receiving space the closing cap is released from the inlet opening and this is exposed for the inflow of the filling.