In-positive / Determination url
Head of a political party
- The reason most people do not accomplish more is that they do not attempt more.
- We still have a ways to go.
- The show must go on.
- We have our work cut out for us.
- We have an image to uphold.
- You have to cut through the red tape.
- It’s time to shift into high gear.
- My lips are sealed.
- There’s nothing that stick-to-itive-ness can’t accomplish.
- It’ll happen before you know it.
- You ain’t seen nothing yet.
- Greatness is within our reach.
Head of a political party
In-negative / Desperation url
Lost in the woods 1
- I’ve run out of steam.
- The situation is so grim.
- The situation was so dangerous that I thought it was curtains.
- It’s no use.
- I’m worried to death.
- I feel sick like a dog.
- 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.
- Don’t even bother.
Lost in the woods 1
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I don’t understand your point
- That doesn’t make any sense to me.
- That has nothing to do with it.
- I don’t know what you’re talking about.
- Where are you coming from?
- You’d have to be a fool to think that.
- Anyone with half a brain knows that.
- That’s a little hard to swallow.
- That's neither here nor there.
- You’re being simple minded.
- I’m not convinced.
- What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?
- That’s out of the question.
- We don't see eye to eye.
- Do expect me to take that seriously.
I don’t understand your point
Out-neutral / Observation url
About Others – Neutral-3
- She talks a mile a minute.
- She’s got a vivid imagination.
- She didn’t even bat an eye.
- She’s going through a phase.
- She wears the pants in the family.
- They need all the help they can get.
- They’re really living high on the hog, but I suspect that it’s beyond their means.
- He’s got to work this out for himself.
- She’ll show her true colors.
- She’ll change her tune.
- I didn’t see neither hide nor hair of him since it happened.
About Others – Neutral-3
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who just got engaged
- This a golden opportunity, in fact an opportunity of a lifetime.
- It’s going to take effort to make it succeed, but there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
- You’re such a fine judge of character.
- You’ve got a lot to look forward to.
- I’m glad it worked out for you.
- Lucky for you.
- This could be the most important thing you ever did in your life.
- Keep the home fires burning.
For a friend who just got engaged
In-positive / Realizing url
Realizing that the maid has been stealing money
- There’s no way around it.
- I hate to admit it.
- It slipped out of her mouth and she showed his true colors.
- I now see her as she really is.
- I’ve had a hunch for the longest time.
- It’s finally out in the clear for everyone to see.
- She finally let the cat out of the bag and told us what really happened.
- I heard it through the grape vine.
- I suspected as much.
- I should have known.
- I know it sounds far-fetched, but I kid you not.
- Perhaps I should have seen that coming.
- In retrospect, I was blind as a bat.
Realizing that the maid has been stealing money
In-negative / Confusion url
To someone explaining calculus
- I haven’t the foggiest/slightest/vaguest idea of what you’re talking about.
- I can’t make heads or tails of it.
- I don’t understand.
- Whatever do you mean?
- You’ve got me stumped.
- I don’t know what to make of it.
- It doesn’t make any sense.
- How could that possibly be?
- It’s Greek to me.
To someone explaining calculus
Out-neutral / Advice url
Control yourself
- Don’t let it get out of hand.
- Don’t let it go to your head.
- Don’t take it so personally.
- Don’t take the law into your own hands.
- Just try to remember that mum’s the word, and try your best to not let it slip out when you are caught off guard.
- Keep a hold on the situation.
- Don’t boast about it.
- Get a grip on yourself.
- Don’t resort to violence.
- I think one of the problems is that you’ve been bouncing from one extreme to another.
- Don’t air your dirty laundry out in public.
- You’ve got to snap out of it.
- Now get serious, and stop horsing around.
- You have to quit cold turkey.
- Get a hold of yourself.
- Why take a chance?
Control yourself
Out-neutral / Advice url
Realistic-1
- Try to be realistic, don’t be fooled by wishful thinking.
- You’re kidding yourself.
- You can only go so far.
- Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
- Life’s not fun and games.
- In my opinion, you’re just fooling yourself.
- I’m just suggesting that you should look at your options again, because in the long run, I think you’re setting yourself up for endless let downs.
- Try to see the situation for what it is, because it’s better if you don’t have to learn that the hard way.
- It’s a question you have to ask yourself.
- You have to be realistic.
- You’re living in a fool’s paradise.
- The reason your ideas are not more successful is that they are all half-baked.
- You’re spending money like it was going out of style.
Realistic-1
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Someone dropping the vase
- I don’t blame you for it.
- Boys will be boys.
- It’s over and done with.
- There’s one in every crowd.
- The damage is done.
- Things are rough all over.
- It’s not my place to judge.
- It’s been known to happen.
- I guess we’re just going to have to live without it.
Someone dropping the vase
Out-positive / Friendship url
Having fun-1
- Time flies when you’re having fun.
- Here’s looking at you.
- Here’s to you.
- The more the merrier.
- Do you want to go for a spin?
- This will be a night to remember.
- Do you want something to wet your whistle?
- I’m headed your way.
- Going my way?
Having fun-1
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
You’re not negotiating well-2
- Did that ever occur to you?
- I was afraid you’d do that.
- You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
- Don’t keep harping on it.
- Why did you bring it up in the first place?
- That’s a cop out.
- We’re finally talking about something important, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t change the subject.
- Who asked you?
- That’s the oldest trick in the book.
- You let the cat out of the bag.
- You cried wolf once too often.
- If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
- Come on, spill the beans.
- You act like someone with a chip on his shoulder.
- You can’t pull the wool over my eyes.
- You’re acting like you have a chip on your shoulder.
- You give me no choice but to do what I feel is my obligation to do.
You’re not negotiating well-2