In-neutral / Caution url
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
- I just can’t chance it.
- I’m going to treat it with kid gloves.
- It could blow sky high.
- Let’s not rush into things.
- I may be sitting on a time bomb.
- One option is for is for me to just wait it out.
- I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- It’s best if I wait until the whole thing blows over.
- I just don’t feel like bucking the system.
- I’m inclined to just tiptoe around the whole situation.
- I think if I got involved in any way I would be playing with fire.
- My gut feeling is that I should just leave it well enough alone.
- The fact that no one else wants to do it is not a good sign.
- I don't know the person involved from a hole in the wall, and I think I should regard that as a warning signal.
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-1
- Somehow you’re making me feel guilty about what we both know took place out of the blue.
- Come on, out with it, spill the beans, and fess-up, because to tell you the truth I expected it all along.
- Please, hear me out!
- You couldn’t possibly object.
- Give me a fighting chance.
- You owe me that much.
- You just don’t want to admit it.
- Come on, be real!
- Please do your utmost to pay attention, and keep your mind on the subject.
- Let me be the judge of that.
- Be straight with me.
- Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-1
In-positive / Amazed url
After seeing a great magic trick
- That’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life.
- I can’t believe it.
- At first glance, it didn’t seem in the realm of possibility.
- It’s enough to blow your mind.
- It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.
- It happened right before my eyes, and I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself.
- It knocked my socks off.
- This one tops them all.
- Boy oh boy!
- That’s a show stopper.
- Goodness gracious!
- How did he do that?
- I don’t know how you did this.
- My goodness, how did that happen?
After seeing a great magic trick
In-positive / Confidence url
Preparing a new military strategy
- The coast is clear.
- Don’t you worry about it.
- Heaven helps those who help themselves.
- Everything’s under control.
- I know what the score is.
- I’m ready, willing, and able.
- He who hesitates is lost.
- Things are falling into place.
- I just had a brainstorm.
- We’re entering the home stretch, and I think we’ll soon see that all our hard work will soon be handsomely rewarded.
- It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.
Preparing a new military strategy
In-positive / Determination url
Student work on a term-paper
- This deserves my total focus and undivided attention.
- I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it and feel more familiar with the whole topic.
- I’ll get it done in no time at all.
- I’m going to hit the ground running.
- The task I faced was difficult, but I rose to the challenge.
- We’re wrapping it up.
- There’s no time like the present.
- Stay the course.
- I really have my work cut out for me.
Student work on a term-paper
In-negative / Doubt url
Police questioning thief
- Your story doesn’t hold water.
- Can you please run that by me again?
- That’s hard to believe.
- You expect me to believe that?
- There’s something fishy about your story.
- You’re lying through his teeth.
- What you’re tell me just doesn’t wash.
- Do you expect me to believe that cock and bull story?
- That’s nothing new.
- It’s too late for that.
- I think you’ve been up to no good.
- You can talk till you’re blue in the face, I just don’t buy it.
Police questioning thief
Out-positive / Friendship url
Asking for a favor
- Can I ask you for a huge favor?
- Can you give me a hand?
- I could use your help with something I’m doing.
- Do you have any free time to give me some help?
- I’m confused about something, and I’d appreciate it if you could help clear things up.
- I'm so glad I reached you, because you’re a hard person to get a hold of.
- Just tell me one thing.
- Can I have a word with you?
- Could you spare a minute?
Asking for a favor
In-negative / Desperation url
An addict
- Why is this so hard?
- I’m at the end of my rope.
- Things seem to be falling apart.
- I need it bad.
- What’s the use?
- I have nothing to live for.
- I’m grasping at straws.
- I have nowhere to turn to.
- There’s nothing to live for.
- I feel like I’m like beating my head against a brick wall.
- I’ve got a dark cloud hanging over me.
- For the longest time it’s just been one thing after another.
- I just can’t bring myself to change for the better.
- I don’t think I’m going to make it.
- I just can’t go on like this.
- Some days it doesn’t pay to get up in the morning.
- Sometimes I feel that I’m damned if I do, and damned if I don’t.
- I’m getting nowhere fast.
- It’s no use.
- I feel sick like a dog.
- I appreciate your advice, but that's all easier said that done.
An addict
Out-negative / Anger url
You will regret this
- You’ll be sorry.
- You can dish it out but you can’t take it.
- You’ll pay for this.
- You can’t get away with that.
- You had it coming to you.
- You deserve everything you get.
You will regret this
In-positive / Determination url
Head of a start-up
- We shall overcome.
- Let’s keep the ball rolling.
- There will be no exceptions.
- Every minute counts.
- Never say die.
- It’s not the mountain ahead that wears you out, but the grain of sand in your shoe.
- Let’s get to work.
- We have to use brute force.
- We can use all the help that we can get.
- It’s important that we do this right, and I don’t want any slip-ups.
- We’ll make it up as we go along.
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
- It may be slow going but we’re making headway.
- We should milk it for all its worth.
- To make our strategy work, we have to make sure all our ducks are lined up.
- We're going to make it happen.
- There's nothing we can't do if we put our minds to it.
- We must have confidence in ourselves.
- It's up to us to make sure it happens.
- Let’s milk it for all it’s worth.
- We’re going to hit the ground running.
- In our struggle for success, I think we’ve finally turned the corner.
- Things are falling into place.
Head of a start-up
Out-positive / Friendship url
Generosity
- Take to your hearts content.
- Whatever is mine is yours.
- My heart is overflowing with a desire to give to you.
- I want you to feel totally comfortable here.
- I want you to regard my house as your home away from home.
- If everything is not totally to your liking, just let me know.
- Allow me to do something for you for a change.
- Share and share alike.
- I’m at your beck and call.
Generosity
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I find your viewpoint hard to understand-2
- The two things are as different as night and day.
- What are you getting at?
- You’re making a mountain out of a mole hill.
- I’ve heard that line before.
- Give me a straight answer.
- I think you’re being too narrow minded.
- Do you realize what you’re saying?
- I can’t figure you out.
- How do you explain that?
- Oh yes, didn’t you know that?
- Ah, come on now, you must be kidding.
- Now what do you mean by that?
- Why would I want to do something like that?
- I have bigger fish to fry.
I find your viewpoint hard to understand-2