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-positive / Encouragement url
To a student who just solved a difficult math problem
- That’s a brilliant deduction.
- You’re as smart as a whip.
- You’re really catching on.
- That’s a step in the right direction.
- You’ve got that down pat.
- Nobody can do it better.
- You should be proud of yourself.
- You’re a pretty smart cookie.
- I’ll be happy/glad to write a letter of recommendation for you.
To a student who just solved a difficult math problem
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 / Determination url
Director of a Broadway musical
- This is one of the most important things we’ve ever done.
- Let’s get going without delay!
- Give me a half of chance, and I’ll show you what I can accomplish.
- Let’s get the ball rolling.
- Let’s get the show on the road.
- The show must go on.
Director of a Broadway musical
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-neutral / Caution url
Telling someone a secret
- The less said about it the better.
- Don’t breathe a word of it.
- I was sworn to secrecy.
- Mum’s the word.
- This could be something that I might come to regret.
- This might be against my better judgement.
- I have to ask myself, why am I doing this?
Telling someone a secret
Out-negative / Anger url
Go away
- Take a hike.
- Bug-off.
- Go fly a kite!
- I don’t ever want to see you again.
- What I’d like is some privacy.
- Get out of here, and I don’t ever want to set my eyes on you again.
- Don’t ever show your face here again.
- Get off my back.
- I’m warning you.
Go away
In-neutral / Acceptance url
After an operation
- It’s just going to take time.
- I’m feeling as well as can be expected given the circumstances.
- I think for a while I’ll just have to get used to living with it hanging over my head.
- I’ll take each day as it comes.
- I wouldn’t have it any other way.
- It is what it is.
- I can’t complain.
- Every cloud has a silver lining.
- It takes some getting used to.
- At first after the operation, I felt achy all over, but I recovered bit by bit, day by day, slowly but surely.
- It could have been a whole lot worse.
- Life has its challenges.
After an operation
In-positive / Surprise url
A friend becomes president of the company
- Goodness gracious.
- Well what do you know?
- It’s too good to be true.
- For goodness sakes.
- For heaven’s sake.
- It took us all by surprise.
A friend becomes president of the company
Out-neutral / Advice url
Skeptic
- The chances of that happening are pretty close to zero.
- If you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.
- Nothing lasts forever.
- You can’t believe everything you hear.
- I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you.
- It’s not worth it.
- I think you’re expecting something that’s not realistic.
- I don’t think that’s such a good idea.
- Lightning never strikes twice in the same spot.
- That’s not a good idea.
- There’s more to it than meets the eye.
- You can’t judge a book by its cover.
- It’s not what it’s cracked up to be.
- Take it with a grain of salt.
- You have to read between the lines.
Skeptic
Out-negative / Annoyed url
Stop hurting me
- Don’t put me down.
- I didn’t come here to be put down.
- Why are you giving me such a hard time?
- What do you have against me?
- You are driving me up the wall.
- I’ve had just about enough of this.
- What am I going to do with you?
- What kind fool do you take me for?
- Go find another sucker.
Stop hurting me
Out-neutral / Advice url
Prepare
- You’ve got to plan for emergencies.
- Once the cat is out of the bag, anything can happen.
- You have to get ready for the possibility that afterwards your feelings may change.
- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
- Expect the unexpected.
- Be prepared for the worst.
- Did you take that into account?
Prepare