In-positive / Determination url
Someone offered a bribe
- I’ll never do it, no matter what you say.
- Not if I can help it.
- It will never happen again.
- I’m going to put my foot down once and for all.
- I’ve made up my mind that - once and for all - I’m going to put a stop to this.
- I’m not going to let that happen.
- We’ll put a stop to that.
- I won’t hear of it.
- I won’t budge an inch.
Someone offered a bribe
Out-negative / Annoyed url
You are hurting me
- You used me.
- You’re treating me like I’m low man on the totem pole.
- You’re causing me great pain.
- I don’t like to be played for a sucker.
- You make my life miserable.
- You’re a thorn in my side.
- Don’t give me the cold shoulder.
- This is beginning to wear on me.
- You make me feel like two cents.
- Don’t brush me off.
- Don’t patronize me.
- Don’t push your luck.
- You’re such a pain in the neck.
- That hit me below the belt.
- What am I, chopped liver?
- Stop nickel and diming me.
- That’s what really burns me up.
You are hurting me
Out-neutral / Advice url
Be Resourceful
- Try to find a clever solution that would be like killing two birds with one stone.
- Here's an idea that you might find useful.
- Fight fire with fire.
- You should have thought of that before, but now you'll have to make up for lost time.
- Hold onto it, because you never know when it will come in handy.
- Drink some coffee, or take a quick nap, and that might perk you up.
- If you put your thinking cap on, maybe you’ll come up with a creative solution.
- Rise to the occasion.
- Put your thinking cap on.
- Try to come up with an 'out-of-the-box' solution.
- I came up with idea from out of the blue.
- I think that a solution to this problem might require a paradigm shift, a whole new way of looking at the situation.
- Ahah!
Be Resourceful
In-negative / Explaining url
After getting too angry at the kids
- I lost control.
- This is what I have to deal with all the time.
- Things got the better of me.
- I’m a bit overwhelmed.
- I wasn’t myself.
- I was caught off-guard.
- It goes with the territory.
- I’ve been a little on edge.
- I meant well.
- I hope you understand.
- That’s easy for you to say, but put yourself in my shoes.
- I just got carried away.
After getting too angry at the kids
In-positive / Confidence url
While being lost in a forest
- It’s no cause for alarm.
- There’s always a way.
- It won’t be long now.
- We can walk on our own two feet.
- I’m hoping for the best.
- We’ll be alright.
- I’m confident that I can do it by hook or by crook.
- Were in the home stretch.
- Let’s rise to the occasion.
- Keep a stiff upper lip.
- It’s just a rule of thumb that I use in situations like this.
- It’s just a matter of time until we’ll find a way out.
- It should be clear sailing from here on in.
- We’re making progress.
While being lost in a forest
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 / Agreement url
If I get another junk phone call, I think I’ll scream
- I think that would be a totally appropriate and natural response.
- That’s totally understandable.
- I don’t blame you.
- I know the feeling.
- I feel exactly the same way.
- Same here.
- I fully understand that.
If I get another junk phone call, I think I’ll scream
Out-negative / Push away url
Stay away from me
- You give me the creeps.
- Keep your claws off me.
- You make my skin crawl.
- That’s none of your business.
- That’s not for you to judge.
- Keep your hands to yourself.
- Don’t rain on my parade.
- Don’t come barging in here.
- I’ve had enough of this, I want out.
- Good riddance!
- Oh, get lost.
- Don’t overstay your welcome.
Stay away from me
In-positive / Determination url
Director of a Broadway musical
- This is one of the most important things we’ve ever done.
- Let’s get going without delay!
- Give me a half of chance, and I’ll show you what I can accomplish.
- Let’s get the ball rolling.
- Let’s get the show on the road.
- The show must go on.
Director of a Broadway musical
Out-neutral / Observation url
General-3
- It’s as pure as the driven snow.
- Two wrongs don’t make a right.
- Some things never change.
- What you see is what you get.
- It takes one to know one.
- That’s par for the course.
- You see one, you’ve seen them all.
- What goes around, comes around.
- They’re a dime a dozen.
General-3
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
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