In-negative / Doubt url
To someone who claims that a swamp is great real estate
- That’s going too far.
- That’s not very likely.
- Don’t make me laugh.
- You’ve got to be kidding.
- Do you really believe that?
- I rather doubt it.
- I don’t believe it for one minute.
- Do you expect me to believe that crap?
- That doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of being successful.
- That’s a hare brained idea.
- It’s the same old run-around.
- I don’t buy it.
- It sounds kind of fishy.
- He’s stretching the truth.
- I wouldn’t put it past you.
- Do you expect me to believe that?
- I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you.
To someone who claims that a swamp is great real estate
In-positive / Determination url
Husband and wife trying to work things out
- This a golden opportunity.
- Let’s take care of this right now.
- Time to switch gears.
- We’ve put it off long enough.
- Let’s see what we can do about it.
- Let’s start the ball rolling.
- Where there’s a will there’s a way.
- Onwards and upwards.
- We still have a long way to go.
- There’s one way to find out.
- I think the time has come for us to turn over a new leaf.
- Let’s give it our best shot.
- First things first.
- There's nothing that we can't do.
- We can work it out.
- There's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
- Give me space, I need a little bit more breathing room.
- Let's give it time.
- Where does that leave us?
- We need to make up for lost time.
- If we're really open and honest with each other, and both speak from the heart, without being afraid or defensive, perhaps we can really bring out into the open any issues that are bothering us, and get to the bottom of what's getting in the way of our getting closer.
Husband and wife trying to work things out
Out-positive / Concern url
Visiting a friend who is recovering from an operation
- I hope you’re feeling better.
- Can I get you something?
- You look a little better than before.
- Now, that wasn’t so painful, was it?
- I’m glad to see that you’re up and about.
- How are you doing?
- I was sick with worry.
- Would you like something?
- Put your mind at ease.
- I was worried sick about it.
- Coming to visit was the least I could do.
- Thank goodness the body has a way of healing itself.
- If there’s anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.
- You have my blessings.
- Is everything OK?
Visiting a friend who is recovering from an operation
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Losing a bet at the casino
- Them’s the breaks.
- I’ll make the best of it.
- Eventually I’m going to have to face the music.
- I’ve learned my lesson.
- That just goes to show you.
- I should have seen that coming a mile away.
Losing a bet at the casino
In-neutral / Caution url
Invited to a party the night before an exam
- I’m dead set against it.
- Am I making a big mistake?
- I have a funny feeling that I’ve been through this before.
- All that glitters is not gold.
- I don’t know if I’ll should do this on such short notice.
- I can easily see where this is heading.
- It’s a waste of time.
- I should know better than that.
- Have I taken leave of my senses?
- Is it worth it?
- I’ve learned my lesson before, and I promised myself that I wouldn’t repeat that mistake again.
- That's not for now.
Invited to a party the night before an exam
Out-neutral / Observation url
General-1
- Birds of a feather flock together.
- Blood is thicker than water.
- Actions speaks louder than words.
- It’s raining cats and dogs.
- News travels fast.
- It’s all in a day’s work.
- An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
- The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
- There’s a lot of that going around.
- The more things change, the more they remain the same.
- It’s on its last legs.
- What goes around, comes around.
General-1
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Breaking up with someone
- It’s gone with the wind.
- It doesn’t matter.
- That’s the way it is.
- It makes good sense.
- Different strokes for different folks.
- I’ll just have to learn to live with it.
- It was nice while it lasted.
- It’s over once and for all.
- It’s over and done with.
- It’s all the same to me.
- It’s a little depressing, but what can I do?
- You take the good with the bad.
- To each his own.
- Her heart is in the right place.
- That’s what makes the world go round.
- It takes all kinds.
- I guess I got more out of it than I thought I had.
- All good things much come to an end.
- So much for that.
- I'm haunted by the fact that perhaps it didn't have to be this way, but it doesn't look like there's not much I can do about it at this point.
- It's a fait accompli.
Breaking up with someone
In-positive / Determination url
Therapist with patient
- Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
- This is an opportunity of a lifetime.
- I’m going to tell it to you straight, even if it means bursting your balloon.
- Rome wasn’t built in a day.
- There’s nothing that we can’t do if we put our minds to it.
- Let’s not give up before we start.
- There are so many false starts, but it’s important that we don’t give up hope.
- There’s more than one way to skin a cat.
- It doesn’t have to be that way.
- Unfortunately we often have to learn the hard way.
- Let’s start tying up loose ends.
- All beginnings are hard.
- Often just when we think it will be clear sailing from here on in, POW – something unexpected comes from out of the blue to blow our well laid plans to smithereens, and suddenly it’s back to the drawing board, forcing us to rethink the whole thing through from start to finish, from soup to nuts.
Therapist with patient
Out-negative / Anger url
Stop what you are doing-2
- Are you trying to start up with me?
- You wouldn’t dare.
- Let that be a warning to you.
- There’s no excuse for that.
- Who do you think I am?
- Hold your horses.
- Don’t you dare do any such thing.
- Haven’t you done enough harm already?
- Don’t make a scene.
- Let’s drop the subject!
- Wait just a cotton picking minute.
- Where do you think you’re going?
- You just can’t help yourself, can you?
- Enough of that.
- OK, enough of this for now.
Stop what you are doing-2
In-positive / Determination url
Captain of a football team
- It’s not over until it’s over.
- We have to take the bull by the horns.
- I’m pumped and primed for action.
- We busted our butts, and we got it done.
- Make it snappy.
- I don’t give out trade secrets.
- On your mark, get set, go.
- No one can stop us now.
- So what are we waiting for?
- We’ve got to rise to the occasion.
- Let's make this year our crowing achievement.
Captain of a football team
In-positive / Determination url
Musician practicing
- I have my work cut out for me.
- When I put my mind to it I can do anything!
- It’s a tough road ahead, but mark my word, I'm going to make it.
- I’m determined to show the true grit that is part of my DNA.
- Let’s rise to the occasion.
- I am coming up to speed, slowly but surely.
Musician practicing
Out-neutral / Advice url
Expand your choices
- Don’t knock it till you try it.
- Reach for the stars.
- Reach for the sky.
- There’s more than one way to skin a cat.
- Give it one more try.
- Don’t snub your nose at it.
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
- It depends on what you want to do.
Expand your choices