Meaning
To be turned down or refused, especially in a romantic context.
Cultural Background
In Germany, dating is often more informal than in the US. Getting a 'Korb' is seen as a normal, if slightly embarrassing, part of social life. The idiom reflects the 'Minne' (courtly love) tradition where women had significant power to choose their suitors, often using symbolic objects. While primarily romantic, using this phrase for a rejected business idea shows a level of 'Duz-Kultur' (informal culture) in modern German startups.
Direction Matters
Remember: BEKOMMEN = You are rejected. GEBEN = You reject them.
Don't be too literal
If you say this while shopping for baskets, people will be very confused!
Meaning
To be turned down or refused, especially in a romantic context.
Direction Matters
Remember: BEKOMMEN = You are rejected. GEBEN = You reject them.
Don't be too literal
If you say this while shopping for baskets, people will be very confused!
Add 'leider'
Adding 'leider' (unfortunately) makes you sound more natural: 'Ich habe leider einen Korb bekommen.'
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct article and noun.
Ich habe gestern ____ ____ bekommen.
Korb is masculine and the direct object (accusative).
Which verb is used when YOU reject someone?
Ich habe ihm einen Korb ____.
You 'give' (geben) a basket to reject someone.
In which situation is this phrase most appropriate?
Situation: You asked a girl for a dance and she said no.
This is the standard idiom for romantic rejection.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Und? Geht ihr am Samstag ins Kino? B: Nein, ich habe ____ ____ ____.
B is explaining why they are not going to the cinema (they were rejected).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch habe gestern ____ ____ bekommen.
Korb is masculine and the direct object (accusative).
Ich habe ihm einen Korb ____.
You 'give' (geben) a basket to reject someone.
Situation: You asked a girl for a dance and she said no.
This is the standard idiom for romantic rejection.
A: Und? Geht ihr am Samstag ins Kino? B: Nein, ich habe ____ ____ ____.
B is explaining why they are not going to the cinema (they were rejected).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsYes, but it's informal. In an email, use 'Absage'. With friends, 'Korb' is fine.
No, it's a standard idiom. It's slightly humorous.
Technically 'Körbe bekommen', but we almost always use the singular 'einen Korb'.
Yes, anyone can 'einen Korb bekommen'.
Yes, 'abblitzen' is more slangy.
It comes from a medieval tradition of lowering baskets to suitors.
Related Phrases
jemandem einen Korb geben
similarTo reject someone
abblitzen
synonymTo be rejected quickly
eine Abfuhr erhalten
synonymTo be rebuffed
durchfallen
contrastTo fail (an exam)
