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
Out-neutral / Advice url
Be open-minded about other people
- He’s a cut above.
- I’m sure he’d be glad to do what you want.
- He has a mind of his own.
- She’s a tough cookie, but if you have patience, she’s something worth waiting for.
- I must admit, that even though it may not appear that way at first glance, that there’s a certain logic to what he’s saying.
- Don’t pass judgement.
- Two heads are better than one.
- If you can’t beat them, join them.
- She’s giving you every chance under the sun.
- I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it.
Be open-minded about other people
Out-negative / Anger url
You have gone too far
- I think you’ve gone just a little bit too far this time.
- You’re in big trouble.
- Are you threatening me?
- Now that was a cheap shot.
- You’re down right nasty.
- Aren’t you carrying this a bit too far?
- Who the heck do you think you are?
- Stop that hanky-panky.
- Don’t you have a shred of decency?
- Is nothing sacred anymore?
- How can anyone in his right mind say something like what you just said.
You have gone too far
Out-negative / Push away url
I don’t want to do it
- That’s the last thing I want.
- I’m not crazy about it.
- I’m not in the mood.
- No thank you.
- Thanks but no thanks.
- That gives me the creeps.
- I wouldn’t do that for all the money in the world.
- For me it’s just a big turnoff.
- Do your own dirty work.
- That’s not my problem.
- That’s not my cup of tea.
- I’m not going to stoop so low as to do something like that.
- That’s of no concern to me.
- It doesn’t float my boat.
- I don’t feel like it.
I don’t want to do it
Out-positive / Apology url
After a boss tells a worker that management won’t let him give the worker an expected raise
- I only wish I could have done more.
- I did the best I could.
- I’m sorry, my hands are tied.
- It might not make any sense to you, but that’s what they decided, and I hope you understand.
- I’m sorry that it’s not the answer you hoped for.
- My apologies that it took me longer to get the answer than I thought it would.
- I hope that we’ll be able to give you a better answer next time.
- I’m hoping this is something you can live with for the time being.
- I was told to explain to you that it’s due to circumstances beyond their control.
- Please give us a chance to make it up to you next time.
After a boss tells a worker that management won’t let him give the worker an expected raise
In-positive / Surprise url
Finding something after searching for it
- I looked all over the place for it, but all the time it was right under my nose.
- It seemed to disappear into thin air.
- I looked for it in the same place a hundred times, and it was right in front of eyes the whole time.
- It appeared out of thin air.
- It seemed to vanish off the face of the earth.
- I can’t believe I finally found it!
- Don’t that beat all?
Finding something after searching for it
In-neutral / Caution url
Telling someone a secret
- The less said about it the better.
- Don’t breathe a word of it.
- I was sworn to secrecy.
- Mum’s the word.
- This could be something that I might come to regret.
- This might be against my better judgement.
- I have to ask myself, why am I doing this?
Telling someone a secret
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-3
- Don’t go back on your word.
- Let’s get back to basics.
- Give me a fair shake.
- I think you’re just trying to soften me up.
- Don’t jump to conclusions.
- Don’t put me on the spot.
- Be up front with me, and don’t go behind my back.
- I wouldn’t be too sure of yourself if I were you.
- You’d better be on the level.
- Don’t whittle away at me.
- It seems like everything I say falls on deaf ears.
- I’m a man of principle, and I’m not going to compromise my principles or standards to stoop and do something like that.
- I’m not made of money.
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-3
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
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
Out-neutral / Advice url
Accept it-1
- Come to terms with it.
- You can’t always get what you want.
- I don’t think you have a choice.
- You’d better get used to it.
- It’s a change for the best.
- You can’t make it last forever.
- Put it in the past.
- You did it of your own free will.
- It’s out of your hands now.
- Let’s face it.
- You have to put up with it.
- You got off lucky this time.
- No use crying over spilled milk.
- You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
- Different strokes for different folks.
- The message is direct, clear, and in your face.
- You made your bed, now lie in it.
- Life has its twists and turns.
Accept it-1
Out-negative / Anger url
I’ve had enough
- I’ve had just about all I can take.
- Enough is enough.
- Now that’s the last straw.
- I think I’ve had just about enough.
- I’m fed up with it.
- I’ve had it up to here!
- I’ve had it.
- You’re getting on my nerves.
- You’ve been asking for it.
I’ve had enough