In-positive / Confidence url
Using a new recipe for a meal
- I heard it directly from the horse’s mouth.
- Trust me I know what I’m doing.
- It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
- Maybe that’s all I have to do to make it work.
- That’s the way I like it.
- It’s as easy as pie.
- I’ve done it before, I’m totally capable of doing it again.
- I can handle it myself.
- It’s as easy as that.
- It’s a piece of cake!
- I can do it with one hand tied behind my back.
- The proof is in the pudding.
Using a new recipe for a meal
In-negative / Disappointment url
Losing money in a scam
- I had a sneaking suspicion that it was too good to be true.
- What is the world coming to?
- I wasn’t thinking straight.
- I’ll be the first to admit, what I did wasn’t too bright.
- Is nothing sacred?
- There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark.
- It stinks to high heaven.
- I should be ashamed of myself.
- I’m old enough to know better.
- It killed my appetite.
- How did I get into this mess?
- That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
- I feel used, betrayed, and double-crossed.
- Boy, now I’m really in a pickle.
- They really took me to the cleaners.
- I’m down in the dumps.
- It's taken the wind out of my sails.
Losing money in a scam
In-negative / Explaining url
After getting too angry at the kids
- I lost control.
- This is what I have to deal with all the time.
- Things got the better of me.
- I’m a bit overwhelmed.
- I wasn’t myself.
- I was caught off-guard.
- It goes with the territory.
- I’ve been a little on edge.
- I meant well.
- I hope you understand.
- That’s easy for you to say, but put yourself in my shoes.
- I just got carried away.
After getting too angry at the kids
Out-positive / Encouragement url
To a quarterback at half-time with the score tied
- Knock ‘em dead.
- Give it all you’ve got!
- It’s a great start.
- It’s your moment of truth.
- Don’t give out on us now.
- The sky’s the limit.
- We’re confident that if you break through, you’ll be in the clear.
To a quarterback at half-time with the score tied
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Let’s make peace-1
- Let’s bury the hatchet.
- Let’s patch things up.
- Let’s let bygones be bygones.
- I hope I didn’t say anything wrong.
- No harm done.
- Take as long as you like.
- I don’t take offense easily.
- I know you didn’t mean anything by it.
- I’ve bent over backwards.
Let’s make peace-1
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Choosing an item from the menu
- It’s six of one or half a dozen of the other.
- I guess I just can’t have it both ways.
- At one point I have to bite the bullet.
- At one point you just have to fish or cut bait.
Choosing an item from the menu
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Try to see my viewpoint-2
- That’s fairly obvious.
- I didn’t expect what happened any more than you.
- It’s about time that you came around to seeing things from my point of view.
- You know that as well as I do.
- Take my word for it.
- Give me the benefit of the doubt.
- I’ve told you the same thing time and time again.
- Try to be open minded.
- Correct me if I’m wrong.
- You know what I mean?
- Now let’s just assume this for the sake of argument.
- Let the facts speak for themselves.
- That's as clear as day.
Try to see my viewpoint-2
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Someone dropping the vase
- I don’t blame you for it.
- Boys will be boys.
- It’s over and done with.
- There’s one in every crowd.
- The damage is done.
- Things are rough all over.
- It’s not my place to judge.
- It’s been known to happen.
- I guess we’re just going to have to live without it.
Someone dropping the vase
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Express your viewpoint
- Speak now or forever hold your peace.
- You go right ahead.
- Speak for yourself.
- Shoot from the hip.
- Why didn’t you say something?
- Put your money where your mouth is.
- That’s your opinion.
- You can talk to your heart’s content.
- Cat got your tongue?
- Judge for yourself.
- You’re a free agent.
- If you’ve get something to say, say it.
- Run it by me again.
- Come on, out with it.
Express your viewpoint
Out-positive / Concern url
To a friend whose new job is harder than he expected
- How’s this working out for you?
- Perhaps you got more than you bargained for.
- Your old job is a hard act to follow.
- You have to give it time for the dust to settle, to see if it works out.
- Things sometimes get worse before they get better.
- This is a chance for you to show your mettle.
- Rise to the challenge!
To a friend whose new job is harder than he expected
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who just got into a top business school
- You sure have come a long way.
- I’m not surprised that you succeeded, I always knew you had it in you.
- Shoot for the moon, and give it all you’ve got.
- You’re as smart as a whip.
- There’s no limit to what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.
- What more could you ask for?
- With this under your belt, a golden future can be yours.
- I have absolute faith in you.
- It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
- I don’t know how you accomplished so much in such a short period of time.
For a friend who just got into a top business school
In-negative / Desperation url
Lost in the forest
- I’ve run out of steam.
- The situation is so grim.
- The situation was so dangerous that I thought it was curtains.
- I’m worried to death.
- I can’t cope with it.
- I’m scared to death.
- Time is running out.
- It’s all a nightmare.
- I’m never going to make it.
- I’m reaching the end of my rope.
- I was up the creek without a paddle.
Lost in the forest