In-negative / Explaining url
Trying to fix work-mate’s computer
- I found the problem, but I just need time to fix it.
- I’m a little rusty.
- I’m working on it.
- I've hit a brick wall.
- I tried my best, but I guess that just wasn’t good enough.
- It doesn’t look like I’m making much headway.
- Oh well, it was worth a try.
- It may look simple, but it's really complicated.
- You can’t blame a fellow for trying.
- I’m sorry that it just didn’t work out.
- Back to the drawing board.
- I got more than I bargained for.
- That’s easier said than done.
- It was a shot in the dark.
- That’s what I could do.
- I’m sure you were expecting more from me.
- I’m trying my best.
- That’s the only thing I can think of.
Trying to fix work-mate’s computer
In-positive / Remembering url
Remembering an event from the past
- It’ll never be the same as it was back then.
- That’s history now.
- That was a night to remember.
- I guess you had to have been there.
- I’ve burnt a lot of bridges behind me.
- I miss those times long gone.
- The joy that I felt when I got married was off the charts.
- Then it happened, and the rest is history.
Remembering an event from the past
In-positive / Confidence url
Husband telling his tired wife he will make dinner
- You let me worry about that.
- I can handle it.
- Let me handle this.
- Don’t you worry about a thing.
- Just leave it to me.
- This is just my cup of tea.
- You’re in good hands.
Husband telling his tired wife he will make dinner
Out-neutral / Advice url
Priorities
- First things first.
- Don’t put the cart before the horse.
- Just stick to business.
- Don’t waste your time.
- I think you’re cutting off your nose to spite your face.
- Put your best foot forward.
- Don’t let yourself get sidetracked.
Priorities
In-negative / Disappointment url
Getting a speeding ticket
- I have no one to blame but myself.
- I need that like a hole in the head.
- That’s what I was afraid of.
- That’s the last thing I wanted.
- What a shame!
- That’s just my luck.
- It happens to the best of us.
- But I don’t have to like it, do I?
Getting a speeding ticket
In-negative / Doubt url
Someone saying he’s going on a new starvation diet
- It’s too high a price to pay.
- What gave you that idea?
- I just can’t picture it.
- You can’t believe everything you read.
- Boy, do you bounce from one extreme to another.
- I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re wasting your time.
- I’m sure you will, but I don’t give it much of a chance of success.
- The odds are against it.
- Where have I heard all of this before?
- I hope you know what you’re doing.
- You’ve got to take it with a grain of salt.
Someone saying he’s going on a new starvation diet
Out-neutral / Advice url
Strategize-2
- Don’t poke your nose into other people’s business.
- You may not be crazy about the way it tastes, but at least it curbs your appetite.
- It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
- Pretend it never happened.
- What’s the bottom line?
- Do it the easy way.
- One hand washes the other.
- Make the best of the situation.
- Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
- Attitude is 90% of success.
- Let’s float a trial balloon and see what the reaction is.
- To ensure your strategy works, make sure all your ducks are lined up.
- Here is my proposed/suggested game plan.
- Stay focused.
- Keep your eye on the ball.
- Don’t let yourself get sidetracked.
- A word to the wise is sufficient.
- You have to know how to choose your battles.
Strategize-2
Out-positive / Friendship url
Secretive
- I told you all I can tell you.
- You can trust me, I won’t breathe a word about it to anyone, and it won’t go beyond here.
- Remember, not a word about this to anyone.
- I won’t tell a soul.
- A little birdie told me.
- That’s just between us.
- I’ll let you in on a secret.
- Keep it to yourself.
- Your secret is safe with me.
Secretive
In-neutral / Caution url
Thinking of dating someone from the wrong side of the tracks
- I feel that persion might be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
- Assumptions can be deceptive.
- I don’t know where this is all heading.
- If you ask me I think I should just call the whole thing off.
- I think that could be like opening up a Pandora’s box.
- That might be wishful thinking.
- Curiosity killed the cat.
- Where there’s smoke there’s fire.
- I have a funny feeling that I should drop it like a hot potato if I know what’s good for me.
- Am I seeing the world with rose colored glasses?
Thinking of dating someone from the wrong side of the tracks
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
My offer is good
- Don’t pass up an offer like this.
- You’ll never see an offer like this again.
- The offer still stands.
- It seems fair to me.
- That ought to add up nicely.
- I’m trying to accommodate you.
- There’s something in it for everyone.
- I’ll even go you one better.
- I’ll make it worth your while.
- That’s my final offer, take it or leave it.
My offer is good
In-positive / Confidence url
Promise that will be on time
- I give you my word.
- We’re on our way.
- I will, I promise.
- I’ll see to that.
- You can bet on it.
- You have nothing to worry about.
- Take my word for it.
- It’s nothing I can’t handle.
- There’s no question about it.
Promise that will be on time
Out-positive / Thanks url
After the secretary says she managed to squeeze in an appointment with the doctor
- I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
- I appreciate it beyond words.
- Thanks a million.
- I really appreciate it.
- I owe you one.
- That was above and beyond the call of duty.
- I appreciate all that you’ve done, and all the effort that you put into it.
- You did me a big favor.
- Awesome.
- I’m very appreciative, I don’t take it for granted at all.
After the secretary says she managed to squeeze in an appointment with the doctor