A method for expanding a compressed gas (GD) at a gas pressure (pD) with a reciprocating-piston machine, wherein the reciprocating-piston machine includes a piston that can move to and fro and a working chamber delimited by the movable piston. The method being carried out as follows: the compressed gas (GD) is supplied to the working chamber via an actuatable rotary slide valve, wherein the compressed gas (GD) in the working chamber is expanded in the working chamber.