In-negative / Desperation url
House flooded by hurricane
- I feel like my whole world is slowly coming apart at the seams.
- It’s even worse than I thought.
- I can’t stand it anymore.
- I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.
- Take me away from here.
- Why does everything always happen to me?
- Wake me when it’s over.
- When it rains it pours.
- What's the use?
- That was the straw that broke the camels back.
- It really threw me for a loop.
House flooded by hurricane
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
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
You’re not negotiating well-1
- You’re as stubborn as a mule.
- What I’m saying is going in one ear and out the other.
- How does that help anything?
- Don’t put words in my mouth.
- What more do you want?
- Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
- You have no excuse for acting that way.
- Are you backing out?
- Surely you must be kidding.
- I’ve got you pegged.
- Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?
You’re not negotiating well-1
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
In-neutral / Caution url
Investing a lot of money in a startup
- I think there’s danger lurking ahead.
- Something about the whole situation smells.
- I’m going to proceed with caution with all deliberate speed.
- I’m going to get to the bottom of it.
- It’s too early to tell.
- The stakes are high.
- I’m going to try to be patient.
- Everything’s up in the air.
- Is the potential reward worth the risk?
- It might be too good to be true.
- It might be like reaching for the moon.
- It might take a while before the truth comes out.
- I can’t have it both ways.
- I shouldn’t count my chickens before they’re hatched.
- I might be making a big mistake.
- Don’t get too comfortable, because the situation is fluid and unpredictable, and could change at any moment.
- Let's give it time, and see how it plays out, because there could be a considerable upside potential.
Investing a lot of money in a startup
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Salesman losing a sale
- It’s back to square one.
- Let the chips fall where they may.
- So much for that.
- It will all come out in the wash.
- What can I tell you?
- It happens to the best of us.
- It’s all in a day’s work.
- Well, that’s the way it goes.
Salesman losing a sale
In-positive / Determination url
A boxer
- I can take what they dish out.
- I’m as hard as nails.
- I’ve made up my mind.
- I won’t allow it.
- I jumped in with both feet.
- I stick to my guns.
- I don’t know the meaning of the word quit.
- I’ve taken the worst that they can dish out, and I’ve still survived.
A boxer
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Can you see my viewpoint?
- Do you have any idea what I’m talking about?
- Do you read me?
- Am I getting through to you?
- Do I make myself clear?
- Are we on the same page?
- Do you get the picture?
- Do you know what I mean?
- Do you see what I mean?
- How does that grab you?
- Will you consider it?
- Do you understand?
- How can I make you understand?
- You can understand, can’t you?
- Catch my drift?
- Will that present a problem?
- Does that ring a bell?
- Will you think about what I said?
- First off, let’s make sure that we’re on the same page.
- I’m just letting you know that this is how I see the situation.
- I'm just trying to be helpful.
Can you see my viewpoint?
In-negative / Doubt url
Being told a ‘foolproof’ way to not tell the truth on taxes
- It’s a prescription for disaster.
- What good would that be?
- How would that help?
- I don’t think that’s such a good idea.
- What’s the point?
- It won’t last for long before it blows up.
- Does that make sense to you?
- I doubt that very much.
- True to form, you’re up to your old tricks.
- I should have expected you to come up with a hare-brained idea like that.
- Do the ends justify the means?
- No, no, that won’t do at all.
- You’ve got another guess coming.
- The idea just smells, because honesty is the best policy.
- I’m going to look the other way, and pretend I didn’t hear that.
- I imagine you would, but don’t expect me to get caught up in your shenanigans.
Being told a ‘foolproof’ way to not tell the truth on taxes
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 / Friendship url
Secretive
- I told you all I can tell you.
- You can trust me, I won’t breathe a word about it to anyone, and it won’t go beyond here.
- Remember, not a word about this to anyone.
- I won’t tell a soul.
- A little birdie told me.
- That’s just between us.
- I’ll let you in on a secret.
- Keep it to yourself.
- Your secret is safe with me.
Secretive
Out-negative / Anger url
I am angry at you
- I’ve had it up to here.
- What is this crap?
- I’m fed up to here.
- You’re making me see red.
- You make my blood boil.
- I’m fit to be tied.
- You’ve got some nerve.
- I feel like I’ve got steam coming out of my ears.
- What do you think, that I’m a complete idiot?
I am angry at you