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
Out-positive / Friendship url
Asking for a favor
- Can I ask you for a huge favor?
- Can you give me a hand?
- I could use your help with something I’m doing.
- Do you have any free time to give me some help?
- I’m confused about something, and I’d appreciate it if you could help clear things up.
- I'm so glad I reached you, because you’re a hard person to get a hold of.
- Just tell me one thing.
- Can I have a word with you?
- Could you spare a minute?
Asking for a favor
In-negative / Doubt url
A friend tells you he’s taking drugs
- You’re throwing away your life.
- Don’t you have a mind of your own?
- Please tell me it’s not true.
- You just brought it all on yourself.
- Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
- Do you know what you’re doing?
- That’s what I call plain old stupidity.
- You must be crazy.
- Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
- I don’t seem to be able to get through to you.
- What are you trying to prove?
- You should have your head examined.
- You knew what you where getting yourself into.
- What are you trying to say?
- Was this your idea?
- It’s your own doing.
- Just look at you.
- Do as you wish, but don’t come crying to me for help when things go downhill.
- It’s the same thing over and over again.
- I don’t think anything I say will convince you one way or another.
- You don’t have anyone to blame but yourself.
- That’s the whole point, and I don’t think you’re hearing a word I’m saying.
- It seems as if what I’m saying is going in one ear and out the other.
- When I talk to you I don’t feel like there’s anybody home.
- What have you gotten yourself into?
A friend tells you he’s taking drugs
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-positive / Friendship url
Stating commitment-1
- We’ll stick together like glue.
- Let’s tie the knot.
- We’re like two peas in a pod.
- You’re my knight in shining armor.
- You can count on me.
- Blood is thicker than water.
- I can’t be without you.
- Our relationship is a match made in heaven.
- You taught me everything I know.
- We were made for each other.
- I would move Heaven and Earth for you.
- We’re made for each other.
- You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.
- I don’t know what I would do without you.
Stating commitment-1
Out-neutral / Advice url
Strategize-2
- Don’t poke your nose into other people’s business.
- You may not be crazy about the way it tastes, but at least it curbs your appetite.
- It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
- Pretend it never happened.
- What’s the bottom line?
- Do it the easy way.
- One hand washes the other.
- Make the best of the situation.
- Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
- Attitude is 90% of success.
- Let’s float a trial balloon and see what the reaction is.
- To ensure your strategy works, make sure all your ducks are lined up.
- Here is my proposed/suggested game plan.
- Stay focused.
- Keep your eye on the ball.
- Don’t let yourself get sidetracked.
- A word to the wise is sufficient.
- You have to know how to choose your battles.
Strategize-2
Out-neutral / Advice url
Caution-2
- Leave it well enough alone.
- You’ll regret it in the morning.
- Let sleeping dogs lie.
- Don’t stir up a hornets nest.
- It’s going to backfire on you.
- Don’t rock the boat.
- Your actions might actually make it harder for you to accomplish what you want.
- Those are famous last words.
- Take it one step at a time.
- Sink your teeth into it, and take your time to appreciate the pros and cons of the new situation before you call it a day.
- Hold that thought.
- You lucked out on that one, but next time you may not be as lucky.
- Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
- It’s always good to ask.
- It's spreading like wild fire.
- Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
- Don’t jump the gun.
- Don’t even think about it.
- You’re leaving yourself wide open.
- I understand how much you want it, but it costs an arm and a leg, and it’s just not worth it.
- Easy does it.
Caution-2
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 / Confidence url
Preparing for a test
- I can do it with my eyes shut.
- I know it like the back of my hand.
- I’ve got it under control.
- I think I’ll be able to muddle through for a while.
- I made a lot of progress.
- I can cope with it.
- It will be a breeze.
- I'm holding my own.
- My head is still above water.
- So far so good.
- Every few hours I just run out of steam and need to rest awhile until I get my energy back.
- I’m holding my own.
Preparing for a test
In-negative / Desperation url
Losing a chunk of data from a laptop hard drive
- That will be the straw that breaks the camels back.
- I’ve taken about all that I can take.
- This is driving me so batty that I could scream.
- What rotten luck.
- I give up.
- I can’t bear to face it.
- Why me?
- Don’t even talk to me about it.
- It's not my day.
Losing a chunk of data from a laptop hard drive
Out-neutral / Advice url
Control yourself
- Don’t let it get out of hand.
- Don’t let it go to your head.
- Don’t take it so personally.
- Don’t take the law into your own hands.
- Just try to remember that mum’s the word, and try your best to not let it slip out when you are caught off guard.
- Keep a hold on the situation.
- Don’t boast about it.
- Get a grip on yourself.
- Don’t resort to violence.
- I think one of the problems is that you’ve been bouncing from one extreme to another.
- Don’t air your dirty laundry out in public.
- You’ve got to snap out of it.
- Now get serious, and stop horsing around.
- You have to quit cold turkey.
- Get a hold of yourself.
- Why take a chance?
Control yourself
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss
- There’s nothing to be afraid of.
- You have nothing to worry about.
- Don’t sell yourself short.
- What’s holding you back?
- What could go wrong?
- Your fears are your worst enemy.
- I'm sure they're going to appreciate your trying.
- You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
- At the very worst, they won't use your idea, but it’s certainly not going to hurt anything.
- What's the downside?
- Grab the brass ring.
- Maybe they’ll take you up on it.
- What’s the worst case scenario?
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
- No pain, no gain.
- Speak up and make yourself heard.
- You don’t have to sell yourself to me, screw up your courage and say what you have to say to the powers that be.
- Just remind yourself that speaking up is not a bad choice, mind you.
- Don’t worry, they’ll understand.
- They’re on the up and up, and they’re not going to pull any punches.
- You need to stand up for yourself.
- I think you should jump at the opportunity.
- It never hurts to ask.
For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss