Total Phrases- 4535
1 of 402

In-neutral / Caution url

Telling someone a secret

  1. The less said about it the better.
  2. Don’t breathe a word of it.
  3. I was sworn to secrecy.
  4. Mum’s the word.
  5. This could be something that I might come to regret.
  6. This might be against my better judgement.
  7. I have to ask myself, why am I doing this?

Telling someone a secret

In-neutral / Caution
2 of 402

In-neutral / Acceptance url

Getting a doctor’s appointment in 3 months

  1. Its better late than never.
  2. All in good time.
  3. Does it really make such a difference?
  4. It really doesn’t matter.
  5. It’ll happen before we know it.
  6. All things happen to those who wait.

Getting a doctor’s appointment in 3 months

In-neutral / Acceptance
3 of 402

In-negative / Explaining url

After investing in worthless land

  1. I fell for it hook, line and sinker.
  2. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
  3. I should have known.
  4. It seemed like the right to do thing at the time.
  5. It took me totally by surprise.
  6. I was talked into it.
  7. The thought that this would be such a bad decision never crossed my mind.
  8. There’s not a whole lot I can do about it at this point.
  9. That never would have dawned on me.
  10. I didn’t see it coming.
  11. In theory that was how it was supposed to play out, but in actuality that’s not what happened.
  12. How was I supposed to know that?
  13. It beats me how that could have happened.
  14. It was an honest mistake.
  15. It could happen to anyone.
  16. I’m sorry that things didn’t work out the way I expected them to.
  17. I found out the hard way.
  18. The thought never even crossed my mind.
  19. That was something I wasn’t even aware of.
  20. Frankly, it’s just not something I could have anticipated.
  21. That’s something I just didn’t count on.
  22. They really took me to the cleaners.
  23. I must admit, from the beginning the whole thing wasn’t clear to me, and went way over my head.
  24. I was a sitting duck.
  25. I was being penny wise and pound foolish.

After investing in worthless land

In-negative / Explaining
4 of 402

Out-neutral / Negotiating url

My offer is good

  1. Don’t pass up an offer like this.
  2. You’ll never see an offer like this again.
  3. The offer still stands.
  4. It seems fair to me.
  5. That ought to add up nicely.
  6. I’m trying to accommodate you.
  7. There’s something in it for everyone.
  8. I’ll even go you one better.
  9. I’ll make it worth your while.
  10. That’s my final offer, take it or leave it.

My offer is good

Out-neutral / Negotiating
5 of 402

In-negative / Doubt url

Being told that a bad investment you made will go back up

  1. You’re just trying to make me feel better.
  2. How can you be so sure?
  3. I think the truth is more complicated than the way you’re making it sound.
  4. What you’re saying just doesn’t hold water.
  5. I wouldn’t hold my breath.
  6. That’ll be the day.
  7. I don’t believe it for a minute.
  8. After what already happened, what difference does it make anyway?
  9. Maybe yes, maybe no.

Being told that a bad investment you made will go back up

In-negative / Doubt
6 of 402

In-negative / Disappointment url

Couple discussing ending a relationship

  1. Talk is cheap.
  2. We’re drifting farther and farther apart.
  3. We didn’t hit it off too well.
  4. I sense that there’s no room in your life for me.
  5. There’s no point in continuing.
  6. I’m just not in the mood for putting any more work in it.
  7. I just don’t see it going anywhere.
  8. I saw the handwriting on the wall.
  9. I don’t feel that we’re on the same wavelength.
  10. I think this is what’s better for both of us in the long run.
  11. This time I really put my foot in my mouth.
  12. I think we’ve hit a brick wall.
  13. You broke my heart.
  14. I feel that it’s all an exercise in futility.
  15. Where has all the time gone?
  16. I realize now that I’ve been barking up the wrong tree.
  17. It’s outlived its usefulness.
  18. Ain’t that a crying shame?

Couple discussing ending a relationship

In-negative / Disappointment
7 of 402

In-positive / Surprise url

A friend wins a big prize

  1. That’s a nice surprise.
  2. It’s like something out of a movie.
  3. You’re pulling my leg.
  4. Now how do you like that?
  5. I was so surprised when it happened.
  6. Get a load of this.
  7. Good heavens!
  8. Well blow me down.
  9. So what do you know?

A friend wins a big prize

In-positive / Surprise
8 of 402

Out-neutral / Negotiating url

Try to see my viewpoint-2

  1. That’s fairly obvious.
  2. I didn’t expect what happened any more than you.
  3. It’s about time that you came around to seeing things from my point of view.
  4. You know that as well as I do.
  5. Take my word for it.
  6. Give me the benefit of the doubt.
  7. I’ve told you the same thing time and time again.
  8. Try to be open minded.
  9. Correct me if I’m wrong.
  10. You know what I mean?
  11. Now let’s just assume this for the sake of argument.
  12. Let the facts speak for themselves.
  13. That's as clear as day.

Try to see my viewpoint-2

Out-neutral / Negotiating
9 of 402

In-negative / Doubt url

Neighbors of the Wright Brothers

  1. I’ll believe it when I see it.
  2. Are you really sure?
  3. Personally, I don’t think you stand a chance.
  4. The odds are stacked against you.
  5. I don’t think anything will ever come of it.
  6. Are your out of your mind?
  7. Are you serious?
  8. Are you crazy?
  9. You must be drunk.
  10. Are you kidding?

Neighbors of the Wright Brothers

In-negative / Doubt
10 of 402

Out-positive / Encouragement url

For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss

  1. There’s nothing to be afraid of.
  2. You have nothing to worry about.
  3. Don’t sell yourself short.
  4. What’s holding you back?
  5. What could go wrong?
  6. Your fears are your worst enemy.
  7. I'm sure they're going to appreciate your trying.
  8. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
  9. At the very worst, they won't use your idea, but it’s certainly not going to hurt anything.
  10. What's the downside?
  11. Grab the brass ring.
  12. Maybe they’ll take you up on it.
  13. What’s the worst case scenario?
  14. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
  15. No pain, no gain.
  16. Speak up and make yourself heard.
  17. You don’t have to sell yourself to me, screw up your courage and say what you have to say to the powers that be.
  18. Just remind yourself that speaking up is not a bad choice, mind you.
  19. Don’t worry, they’ll understand.
  20. They’re on the up and up, and they’re not going to pull any punches.
  21. You need to stand up for yourself.
  22. I think you should jump at the opportunity.
  23. It never hurts to ask.

For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss

Out-positive / Encouragement
11 of 402

In-negative / Explaining url

Not doing work assignment on time

  1. I bit off more than I could chew.
  2. I didn’t accomplish as much as I thought I would.
  3. I took my best shot.
  4. That’s the best that I can do.
  5. It took me longer than I thought it would.
  6. I’ve been under a lot of pressure lately.
  7. I was sure I could do more in the time that I had.
  8. The whole thing blew up in my face.
  9. I promise to do better next time.
  10. I don’t know how to answer your question.
  11. It totally slipped my mind.
  12. I knew there was something I forgot to do.
  13. I have no excuse.

Not doing work assignment on time

In-negative / Explaining
12 of 402

In-neutral / Acceptance url

Finding a parking place 5 blocks from the restaurant

  1. This is a good place as any.
  2. It’s certainly not what we hoped for, but it’s better than nothing.
  3. I think we don’t have much of a choice.
  4. That’s good enough for me.
  5. That’s to be expected.
  6. That’s just the way it’s going to have to be then.

Finding a parking place 5 blocks from the restaurant

In-neutral / Acceptance