In-neutral / Caution url
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
- I just can’t chance it.
- I’m going to treat it with kid gloves.
- It could blow sky high.
- Let’s not rush into things.
- I may be sitting on a time bomb.
- One option is for is for me to just wait it out.
- I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- It’s best if I wait until the whole thing blows over.
- I just don’t feel like bucking the system.
- I’m inclined to just tiptoe around the whole situation.
- I think if I got involved in any way I would be playing with fire.
- My gut feeling is that I should just leave it well enough alone.
- The fact that no one else wants to do it is not a good sign.
- I don't know the person involved from a hole in the wall, and I think I should regard that as a warning signal.
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
Out-neutral / Advice url
Accept it-2
- You brought it on yourself.
- Start facing the facts.
- Profit from the experience.
- You have to make the best of it.
- Put the entire situation behind you.
- You can’t have everything.
- It the shoe fits wear it.
- Just accept it on face value.
- There’s nothing you can do about it.
- Forgive and forget.
- You asked for it.
- We can try to do things differently in the future, but it’s too late now to change what already happened.
- When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
- Try to make the best of a bad situation.
- Better luck next time.
Accept it-2
Out-neutral / Advice url
Look inside yourself
- You’re green with envy.
- Try to remember the best you can.
- Take a good look at yourself.
- Don’t hold back what’s on your mind, spit it out, and let me know what you’re thinking.
- Your pride got in your way.
- Let your inner voice be your guide.
- Why would you want to do something like that?
Look inside yourself
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Don’t let your attitude interfere
- Don’t be a stickler for details.
- Don’t get all huffy.
- Don’t make a federal case out of it.
- Please get to the point, and don’t beat around the bush.
- Don’t make such a big production of it.
- You can’t pass judgment.
- You are blowing things out of proportion.
- You’re as stubborn as a mule.
Don’t let your attitude interfere
Out-positive / Concern url
To a friend who is trying to decide whether to marry their boyfriend
- How do you feel about it?
- So what did you finally decide?
- Are you having second thoughts?
- You’re such a worry-wart.
- You look puzzled.
- You’re a scaredy cat.
- In your investigation, did you come up with anything?
- Perhaps you should consider being a little bit more flexible.
- You can’t be too careful.
- Why are you fighting it?
- Look before you leap.
- He who hesitates is lost.
- Perhaps you shouldn't be too judgmental.
- Have an open mind.
- I have some information, does it ring a bell?
- Don’t let yourself get rushed into it.
- Look before you leap.
To a friend who is trying to decide whether to marry their boyfriend
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
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-2
- I’ve given it some thought, and I’ll share with you my honest conclusions.
- I’m all ears.
- Tell it to me straight.
- I got it, loud and clear.
- I’ll see what I can do.
- I have to think it over.
- I see where you’re headed.
- I wasn’t looking at it that way.
- That remains to be seen.
- Let’s not skirt around the issue.
- It’s food for thought.
- I gathered that.
- I'm just trying to let you know my way of looking at it.
- What did you have in mind?
- I’m giving you my full attention.
- Will you swear to it?
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-2
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-negative / Doubt url
Looking for keys that were lost in the park
- It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.
- Maybe we’ve been looking in the wrong place.
- Maybe we’re barking up the wrong tree.
- I think we’re wasting our time.
- Sometimes you just have to know when to call it quits.
- Let’s just call the whole thing off.
- After all this effort, I no longer know if I’m coming or going.
- I’m totally tuckered out.
- I think it’s a lost cause.
- Let’s do something else for a while and just keep my eyes open for it.
Looking for keys that were lost in the park
Out-positive / Concern url
After a friend found out that a mistake he made led to internet identity theft
- I feel bad for you.
- You’ve been taken to the cleaners.
- You left yourself wide open.
- You’re as white as a sheet.
- Your temperature is quite high, and I can feel by your forehead that you’re burning up, so why don’t you just lie down and take it easy for a while until you feel better.
- You’re an old softy.
- Now you’ve really gotten yourself into a pickle.
- I don’t like the sound of this.
- You’re nothing but a push over.
After a friend found out that a mistake he made led to internet identity theft
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
Losing money in the stock market
- It happens to the best of us.
- Life goes on.
- You can’t turn back the hands of time.
- Let the chips fall where they may.
- You can’t take it with you.
- Money isn’t everything.
- That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
- This too will pass.
- Easy come, easy go.
- I’ll take full responsibility for it.
- It was bound to happen.
- We live and learn.
Losing money in the stock market