In-negative / Doubt url
To broker who says that stock market cannot go down
- Let’s just wait and see what happens.
- Hope springs eternal.
- Do you really believe that what you don’t know can’t hurt you?
- You’d be surprised what can actually happen.
- Do you believe everything you see and everything you hear?
- I doesn’t ring true.
- That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of in my life.
- That’s not true, not by a long shot!
- Don’t keep your head in the sand.
- You’re a flake.
- Frankly, I think that you’re mistaken.
- That’s news to me.
- You’d be surprised.
- That’s what you think.
- I don’t believe that for a minute.
- Anyone who believes that should have their head examined.
- Do you believe everything you read?
- OK, so know I know where you stand.
To broker who says that stock market cannot go down
In-neutral / Caution url
Thinking of taking a high interest loan
- What am I getting myself into this time?
- I hope that this is not something that I will live to regret.
- I have to ask myself, is it worth it?
- If I’m mistaken, things could all come tumbling down.
- I should know better than that.
- There’s got to be an easier way.
- Don’t do anything precipitously that you can’t easily undo.
- I could end up in trouble up to my ears.
- I shouldn’t get myself involved with something that I can’t get out of.
- Let’s cool our heels, and be patient and wait to see what happens.
- I should have realized from the very beginning that it’s important not to spend a lot more than you earn if you don’t want to end up being saddled with a lot of debt - and now it doesn't look as if I have any good options to choose from.
Thinking of taking a high interest loan
In-negative / Confusion url
Being given a bag of rocks for a present
- I don’t know what to do with it.
- What am I going to do with all this stuff?
- What does this mean?
- What do you mean by this?
- I’m almost afraid to ask.
- Do you mind telling me what this is about?
- Does it make any sense?
- I’m speechless.
- I wonder what that means.
- It doesn’t make any sense at all.
- I don't get it.
Being given a bag of rocks for a present
In-negative / Desperation url
Running away from the Cossacks
- I’m knee deep in alligators.
- I’ve got to get a handle on the situation before it’s too late.
- The people around me are dropping like flies.
- I’m going out of my mind.
- It’s a matter of life and death.
- I’m overcome with fear.
- I just can’t deal with it anymore.
- What going on here?
- I just can’t put up with it any longer.
- It’s every man for himself.
- What else have I got?
Running away from the Cossacks
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Breaking up with someone
- It’s gone with the wind.
- It doesn’t matter.
- That’s the way it is.
- It makes good sense.
- Different strokes for different folks.
- I’ll just have to learn to live with it.
- It was nice while it lasted.
- It’s over once and for all.
- It’s over and done with.
- It’s all the same to me.
- It’s a little depressing, but what can I do?
- You take the good with the bad.
- To each his own.
- Her heart is in the right place.
- That’s what makes the world go round.
- It takes all kinds.
- I guess I got more out of it than I thought I had.
- All good things much come to an end.
- So much for that.
- I'm haunted by the fact that perhaps it didn't have to be this way, but it doesn't look like there's not much I can do about it at this point.
- It's a fait accompli.
Breaking up with someone
In-negative / Explaining url
Coming late for an appointment
- I just plum forgot.
- It slipped my mind.
- Forgive me, I just didn’t remember.
- I didn’t do it on purpose.
- I hope you understand.
- Please don’t take it personally.
- I knew I forgot something.
- I’ve been burning the candle at both ends.
- I’ve been crazy busy lately.
- I have a lot on my plate.
- The time just slipped through my fingers.
- I just have no sense of time.
Coming late for an appointment
In-negative / Confusion url
Lost in a forest
- I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.
- Do you think that we’re getting anywhere?
- What am I supposed to do?
- I can’t figure out what’s going on, and I feel like I’m shooting in the dark.
- How am I going to pull this off?
- I’m on a wild goose chase.
- What are we going to do now?
- So now what do I do?
- What’s going on?
- I don’t know what I’m going to do.
Lost in a forest
Out-positive / Agreement url
If parents hugged their kids more, the kids would feel more loved.
- You hit the nail on the head.
- That goes without saying.
- Now that’s a very good idea.
- That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to say.
- Now you’re talking!
- That could very well be.
- You might say that.
- I’m inclined to agree with your way of looking at things.
- I bet you’re right.
- That’s the truest thing you ever said.
- That’s hard to beat.
If parents hugged their kids more, the kids would feel more loved.
Out-positive / Concern url
To a friend who is very depressed
- Don’t go bonkers on me.
- What’s wrong now?
- What’s on your mind?
- I hate seeing you like this.
- You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.
- What are you so edgy about?
- Has the cat got your tongue?
- It’s good for you to get out once in a while.
- It seems as if you don’t know whether you’re coming or going.
- I’ll do anything I can.
- How can I ease your burden?
- I won’t be judgmental.
- I'm on your side.
- What’s come over you?
- Perhaps there are some things that I can take off your hands.
- Take things one day at a time.
- There’s light at the end of the tunnel.
- Take each day as it comes.
- Always know that I’m here for you.
- Sometimes it’s darkest just before the dawn.
- Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
- Pull yourself together.
- Hold on tight, it will be alright.
To a friend who is very depressed
Out-neutral / Advice url
Restraint-2
- Don’t let the cat out of the bag.
- Don’t make matters worse.
- Keep it under your hat.
- Get a hold of yourself.
- Just try not to go overboard doing it, both in terms of time and money.
- Get control of yourself.
- Button your lip.
- Try and get a hold of yourself.
- I know that may feel good to speak your mind and get things off your chest, but sometimes it’s better just to bite your tongue.
Restraint-2
In-positive / Confidence url
Using a new recipe for a meal
- I heard it directly from the horse’s mouth.
- Trust me I know what I’m doing.
- It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
- Maybe that’s all I have to do to make it work.
- That’s the way I like it.
- It’s as easy as pie.
- I’ve done it before, I’m totally capable of doing it again.
- I can handle it myself.
- It’s as easy as that.
- It’s a piece of cake!
- I can do it with one hand tied behind my back.
- The proof is in the pudding.
Using a new recipe for a meal
In-positive / Surprise url
Seeing a magic trick
- That’s amazing.
- I can’t believe my eyes.
- Now you see it, now you don’t.
- It’s unbelievable.
- It’s absolutely extraordinary.
- I’ve never been so surprised in all my life.
- I’ve never seen anything like it.
- That’s the strangest think I’ve ever seen.
- I’m dumbfounded.
- If I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes, I never would have believed it.
- Did you see what I saw?
- Look at that!
- Now you see them, now you don’t.
Seeing a magic trick