Meaning
To reject someone's romantic advances or proposal.
Cultural Background
In Germany, giving a 'Korb' is seen as a normal, if unpleasant, part of dating. Directness is expected; 'ghosting' is considered much ruder than a clear 'Korb'. In traditional Austrian dance culture (like the Vienna balls), giving a 'Korb' was a formal act of declining a dance, often done with a polite nod. Swiss German speakers use the same idiom ('en Chorb gää'), reflecting the shared linguistic heritage of the 'basket' metaphor. The tradition of 'Fensterln' (climbing to windows) is still a point of regional pride, making the 'Korb' origin story particularly resonant here.
Use Dative!
Always remember: Jemandem (Dativ) einen Korb geben. If you say 'Ich gebe ihn einen Korb', it sounds like you are physically handing a man to a basket.
Not for Bosses
Don't tell your boss 'Ich gebe Ihnen einen Korb' if you can't do a task. It sounds like you're rejecting a romantic advance from them!
Meaning
To reject someone's romantic advances or proposal.
Use Dative!
Always remember: Jemandem (Dativ) einen Korb geben. If you say 'Ich gebe ihn einen Korb', it sounds like you are physically handing a man to a basket.
Not for Bosses
Don't tell your boss 'Ich gebe Ihnen einen Korb' if you can't do a task. It sounds like you're rejecting a romantic advance from them!
The Passive Form
Use 'Einen Korb bekommen' to talk about your own bad luck in dating. It makes you sound very natural.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the pronoun (Dative).
Er ist sehr traurig. Julia hat ___ einen Korb gegeben.
The person rejected is the indirect object (Dative). 'Er' becomes 'ihm'.
Which sentence is a correct use of the idiom in the past tense?
Select the correct sentence:
The Perfekt of 'geben' uses 'haben' and the past participle 'gegeben'.
Match the German phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the three main ways to use the 'rejection' vocabulary.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hast du Markus gefragt? B: Ja, aber er hat mir ____.
The idiom is 'einen Korb geben'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEr ist sehr traurig. Julia hat ___ einen Korb gegeben.
The person rejected is the indirect object (Dative). 'Er' becomes 'ihm'.
Select the correct sentence:
The Perfekt of 'geben' uses 'haben' and the past participle 'gegeben'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the three main ways to use the 'rejection' vocabulary.
A: Hast du Markus gefragt? B: Ja, aber er hat mir ____.
The idiom is 'einen Korb geben'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt's not inherently rude, but it is direct. It's the standard way to describe a rejection, though the act itself might be painful.
Only informally. In a professional email, use 'eine Absage erteilen'.
Jemandem Körbe geben (to reject someone multiple times or reject multiple people).
No, anyone can give or receive a 'Korb', regardless of gender.
'Abblitzen' is more sudden and often implies the person didn't even get a chance to finish their sentence.
Related Phrases
Jemanden abblitzen lassen
synonymTo reject someone quickly and firmly.
Einen Laufpass geben
similarTo break up with someone.
Jemanden sitzen lassen
contrastTo stand someone up or abandon them.
Sich eine Abfuhr holen
similarTo get a rebuff.
