sich geben

Definition & meaning

sich geben has several meanings, depending on context:

1. To behave or present oneself in a particular way.
   Often used with an adjective or adverb:
   Sie gibt sich ruhig. — “She is acting calm” or “She comes across as calm.”
   Er gibt sich als Experte aus. — “He passes himself off as an expert.”

2. To give or administer something to oneself.
   In this use, the thing being given is usually stated:
   Er gibt sich eine Spritze. — “He gives himself an injection.”

3. In the expression Das gibt sich: for something to pass or resolve itself.
   Die Aufregung gibt sich bald. — “The excitement will soon die down.”

Grammar & Word origin

The phrase consists of the reflexive pronoun sich and the verb geben (↗), “to give.” The verb is irregular: geben – gab – gegeben. In the first two meanings, sich refers back to the subject. The case of the pronoun or object depends on the construction.

In Das gibt sich, the phrase is used idiomatically to mean that a situation will settle or pass.

Synonyms & antonyms

• sich verhalten (↗) — “to behave.” More neutral and focused on someone’s conduct; sich geben often emphasizes the impression they create.
• auftreten (↗) — “to appear” or “come across.” Focuses more on someone’s manner or public presentation.
• sich benehmen (↗) — “to behave.” Often suggests whether someone’s conduct is appropriate or polite.

There is no single direct antonym. In the sense of deliberately presenting a particular impression, sich natürlich geben (↗), “to act naturally,” can contrast with sich verstellen (↗), “to put on an act.”

Common phrases & collocations

• sich ruhig / selbstbewusst / gelassen geben (↗, ↗, ↗) — to act or come across as calm, confident, or composed.
• sich als jemand ausgeben (↗) — to pass oneself off as someone.
• Das gibt sich. (↗) — “It will pass” or “It will sort itself out.”