In-positive / Confidence url
Lawyer with new client
- I do everything by the book.
- The odds are in our favor.
- You let me be the judge of that.
- It’s coming along nicely.
- I have everything and under control, and you don’t have to worry about a thing.
- Your secret is safe with me.
- You can rest assured that I’ve got a handle on the situation, and that everything is under control, and that there’s nothing to worry about.
- It’s an open and shut case.
- I will do what needs to be done.
- Leave everything to me.
Lawyer with new client
Out-negative / Annoyed url
You are very annoying
- I’m warning you.
- I have a bone to pick with you.
- You think you’re hot stuff, don’t you?
- Oh, give me a break!
- I am completely fed up.
- You wouldn’t recognize it if it was staring you in your face.
- It’s ridiculous already.
- You're starting off on the wrong foot.
- I smell a rat.
- That’s just not acceptable behavior.
- Shame on you!
- It serves you right.
- You’re a royal pain in the neck.
- Enough already!
- Don’t get me started.
- My patience is wearing thin.
- What makes you think that you’re such a priveledged character?
- Don’t do me any favors.
You are very annoying
Out-neutral / Advice url
Calm down
- You’re too up tight.
- Loosen up.
- Don’t get hot under the collar.
- Don’t take leave of your senses.
- Don’t let your imagination run away with itself.
- Get a handle on it.
- Don’t blow your cool.
- Don’t be so hard on yourself.
- Don’t worry, you’ll get over it.
- Stop feeling sorry for yourself!
- Don’t mope around.
- Try and catch your breath.
- You shouldn’t go around like a chicken with its head cut off.
- Don’t worry about it, it was a freak occurrence, and chances are it’ll never happen again.
- Take a deep breath, and try to pull yourself together.
Calm down
Out-positive / Friendship url
Asking for a favor
- Can I ask you for a huge favor?
- Can you give me a hand?
- I could use your help with something I’m doing.
- Do you have any free time to give me some help?
- I’m confused about something, and I’d appreciate it if you could help clear things up.
- I'm so glad I reached you, because you’re a hard person to get a hold of.
- Just tell me one thing.
- Can I have a word with you?
- Could you spare a minute?
Asking for a favor
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-neutral / Negotiating url
Let’s make a deal
- Let’s get down to business.
- Let’s mend our fences.
- Let get down to brass tacks.
- We can see eye to eye.
- Make me an offer I can’t refuse.
- Let’s split the difference.
- I’ll take you up on it.
- Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.
- Let’s put our heads together and do our best to get to come up with something.
- I’ll make it worth your while!
- On second thought, maybe I will reconsider your generous offer.
- Let’s go through with the deal.
Let’s make a deal
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
Out-negative / Annoyed url
You are lying-1
- You’re lying through your teeth.
- You’re as phony as a two dollar bill.
- Don’t start with that whole song and dance.
- You’re full of hot air.
- Just cut the bull.
- Don’t hand me that baloney.
- It’s a pack of lies.
- You speak with fork tongue.
- I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re withholding from me a very important piece of information.
- That’s utter nonsense.
- Don’t give me that crap.
- Cut the baloney.
- Oh give me a break, will you?
- I smell a rat.
- Do you expect me to believe that?
- Oh, give me a break!
You are lying-1
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Finding that the pet parakeet passed away
- Here today, gone tomorrow.
- It’s a fact of life.
- These things don’t last forever.
- There’s nothing that I can do about it.
- It’s all for the best.
- You know how it is.
- Some good came of it.
- There’s a proper time for everything.
- It’s only natural.
- Nature takes its course.
Finding that the pet parakeet passed away
In-positive / Confidence url
Planning a birthday party for a child
- Don’t worry your little head about it.
- It’s falling into place.
- That’s hardly a problem.
- I have it all figured out.
- All the plans are in place.
- You don’t have to worry about anything.
- You can put all your concerns aside and look forward to something wonderful.
Planning a birthday party for a child
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-positive / Friendship url
Offering help-2
- Perhaps I can be of assistance.
- I wish I could do something for you.
- I’ve gone to bat for you.
- Take what you want to your heart’s desire.
- I wish you all the luck in the world.
- I’m doing what’s best for you.
- I thought you’d never ask.
- Don’t ever say I never did anything for you.
- I'm so glad you came over.
- Be sure to let me know if I can help.
- For you, I would do anything.
- I wish you the best of luck.
- I’d be more than happy to help.
Offering help-2