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-negative / Doubt url
To broker who says that stock market cannot go down
- Let’s just wait and see what happens.
- Hope springs eternal.
- Do you really believe that what you don’t know can’t hurt you?
- You’d be surprised what can actually happen.
- Do you believe everything you see and everything you hear?
- I doesn’t ring true.
- That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of in my life.
- That’s not true, not by a long shot!
- Don’t keep your head in the sand.
- You’re a flake.
- Frankly, I think that you’re mistaken.
- That’s news to me.
- You’d be surprised.
- That’s what you think.
- I don’t believe that for a minute.
- Anyone who believes that should have their head examined.
- Do you believe everything you read?
- OK, so know I know where you stand.
To broker who says that stock market cannot go down
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-1
- Somehow you’re making me feel guilty about what we both know took place out of the blue.
- Come on, out with it, spill the beans, and fess-up, because to tell you the truth I expected it all along.
- Please, hear me out!
- You couldn’t possibly object.
- Give me a fighting chance.
- You owe me that much.
- You just don’t want to admit it.
- Come on, be real!
- Please do your utmost to pay attention, and keep your mind on the subject.
- Let me be the judge of that.
- Be straight with me.
- Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-1
In-positive / Determination url
Politician running for office
- Don’t give up the ship.
- Of all the things I’m doing, this is one of the most important.
- There’s more that one way to skin a cat.
- It’s a long shot.
- That would be something that I would likely do.
- Back up your ideas with courage that will not back down, and there will be no way too long, no road too rough.
- It’s a race against time.
- I shall return.
- I think we’re going to have to bite the bullet.
- That’s when the really hard part comes.
- I’m going to move heaven and earth trying.
Politician running for office
In-neutral / Caution url
Invited to a party the night before an exam
- I’m dead set against it.
- Am I making a big mistake?
- I have a funny feeling that I’ve been through this before.
- All that glitters is not gold.
- I don’t know if I’ll should do this on such short notice.
- I can easily see where this is heading.
- It’s a waste of time.
- I should know better than that.
- Have I taken leave of my senses?
- Is it worth it?
- I’ve learned my lesson before, and I promised myself that I wouldn’t repeat that mistake again.
- That's not for now.
Invited to a party the night before an exam
Out-neutral / Advice url
Stronger-1
- Stand on you own two feet.
- You’ve got to believe in yourself.
- Having a positive attitude is half the battle.
- Put your foot down.
- Fend for yourself.
- Put a smile on your face.
- Take it like a man.
- Hang in there.
- Show your true colors.
- Give it your best shot.
- You’re going to need to crack down.
Stronger-1
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Someone else gets the main role in the play
- Live and let live.
- That really doesn’t surprise me.
- It’s over and done with.
- Let the better man win.
- That’s all the more reason to leave things the way they are and not make waves.
- It’s just as well.
Someone else gets the main role in the play
In-positive / Surprise url
Learning that a friend is ill
- His illness came out of the blue.
- He’s never been sick a day in his life.
- I don’t know what to say.
- I didn’t expect that.
- It’s beyond comprehension.
- What brought this on?
- I still can’t believe it’s true.
- I’m in a state of denial.
- It came as a great shock.
- I found the news earth shattering.
Learning that a friend is ill
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
Buying a car
- I dropped a bundle on it, but I’m glad I bought it.
- The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
- How can I resist?
- I might as well.
- You never get something for nothing.
- It’s growing on me.
- It’s the best that I can do.
Buying a car
In-positive / Surprise url
Learning that a friend is a thief
- I’m shocked to say the least.
- I suspected it was true, but I didn’t put 2 and 2 together.
- I was so shocked because it happened right out of nowhere.
- The truth comes out at last.
- I didn’t expect it at all.
- I never would have suspected it.
- Speaking of the devil.
- Good grief.
- Ahah, just as I suspected.
- What was that all about?
- In all my years I never thought I’d live to see the day when you would say something like that.
- The cat is out of the bag.
- That came from out of left field.
- I am shocked beyond belief.
Learning that a friend is a thief
In-negative / Doubt url
Police questioning thief
- Your story doesn’t hold water.
- Can you please run that by me again?
- That’s hard to believe.
- You expect me to believe that?
- There’s something fishy about your story.
- You’re lying through his teeth.
- What you’re tell me just doesn’t wash.
- Do you expect me to believe that cock and bull story?
- That’s nothing new.
- It’s too late for that.
- I think you’ve been up to no good.
- You can talk till you’re blue in the face, I just don’t buy it.
Police questioning thief