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
Out-negative / Anger url
Stop what you are doing-1
- Now cut that out.
- Will you cut the crap?
- I’m not going to permit that type of activity happening in my house.
- Cut it out, stop that right now.
- Hold it right there.
- I’m telling you once and for all.
- See that it doesn’t happen again.
- Watch your step.
- If you want to know how I will react if you do that, just try me.
- Drop the subject.
- If you think I’m going to sit back and let you say things like that to me, you have another guess coming.
- That will be enough of that.
- Don’t you dare!
- Just leave it alone.
- Woah, hold your horses!
- You must be out of your cotton-picking mind!
Stop what you are doing-1
Out-positive / Concern url
To a friend whose new job is harder than he expected
- How’s this working out for you?
- Perhaps you got more than you bargained for.
- Your old job is a hard act to follow.
- You have to give it time for the dust to settle, to see if it works out.
- Things sometimes get worse before they get better.
- This is a chance for you to show your mettle.
- Rise to the challenge!
To a friend whose new job is harder than he expected
Out-neutral / Advice url
Flexible
- It’s best just to roll with it punches.
- Now let’s switch gears.
- Don’t get bogged down.
- That’s the way to learn how to do things like that.
- You’re as young as you feel.
- Pick up where you left off.
- Variety is the spice of life.
- When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do.
- Give it another shot.
- What have you got to lose?
- Let's play it by ear.
Flexible
In-negative / Doubt url
Someone saying he’s going on a new starvation diet
- It’s too high a price to pay.
- What gave you that idea?
- I just can’t picture it.
- You can’t believe everything you read.
- Boy, do you bounce from one extreme to another.
- I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re wasting your time.
- I’m sure you will, but I don’t give it much of a chance of success.
- The odds are against it.
- Where have I heard all of this before?
- I hope you know what you’re doing.
- You’ve got to take it with a grain of salt.
Someone saying he’s going on a new starvation diet
Out-negative / Anger url
I will stop you-1
- This means war.
- I have a bone to pick with you.
- I’ll get even with you, and even though you’re sitting pretty right now, I think in the long run you are going to regret what you did.
- Wait till I get my hands on you.
- I want to have it out with you.
- I’ll pay you back for this.
- Let’s settle this once and for all.
- Don’t mess with me.
- Don’t start up with me.
- If you think you’re going to get away with that, you’ve got another guess coming.
- Don’t you dare play your stupid, silly games with me.
- You’re not going to get away with it.
I will stop you-1
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-neutral / Advice url
Protect yourself
- My advice to you is just try to save your own skin.
- Look out for number one.
- Don’t do this to yourself.
- Run for your life.
- Your luck can’t hold out forever.
- If you don’t watch out for yourself, who will?
- It’s a dog eat dog world, and your first obligation is to protect yourself.
- Make sure you take your medicine religiously.
- An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
- Don’t let them stab you in the back.
Protect yourself
Out-neutral / Advice url
Perseverance
- Don’t give up.
- You can’t give up that easily.
- You can’t back out now.
- Don’t give up yet.
- Don’t give up the ship.
- See it through to the end.
- Hold on tight.
- We’ll stick through thick and thin.
Perseverance
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
Hope
- Life is worth living.
- Every cloud has a silver lining.
- Tomorrow is another day.
- Better luck next time.
- Look on the bright side.
- Count your blessings.
- Appreciate it while it lasts.
- Little things mean a lot.
- Things often have a way of just working themselves out.
Hope
Out-positive / Agreement url
I’d like to borrow Dad’s car tonight
- OK, have it you’re way.
- That’s good enough for me.
- That’s fine with me.
- That’s no problem.
- Go right ahead.
- I’m all for it.
- Suit yourself.
I’d like to borrow Dad’s car tonight