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
In-positive / Determination url
Person who is depressed
- I decided on the spot, once and for all, that I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.
- I woke up and said, there’s no time like the present.
- I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet.
- I’m determined to resist the temptation.
- This is the first day of the rest of my life.
- I overcame the difficulties confronting me.
- I’ve made my mind up.
- I made a clean break.
- Everything takes time.
- Now I’m more determined than ever!
- There’s always a first time.
- I'm 100% focused on making sure I get myself out of this crazy situation.
Person who is depressed
In-negative / Confusion url
Taking a test without having studied
- It doesn’t ring a bell, it doesn’t sound familiar.
- What am I going to do now?
- I feel I don’t have much of choice.
- I’ve got to go through with it, and I’m hoping for the best.
- I hope I recognize some of the things I’m presented with.
- What should I do?
- What I am doing this for?
Taking a test without having studied
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
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-negative / Desperation url
Losing a job
- I can’t tell you how awful it is.
- I’m going to lose my mind.
- After what I’ve been through, I don’t know which way is up.
- It’s a lost cause.
- It’s a no win situation.
- It’s all downhill from here.
- It’s a sad state of affairs.
- It feels like things are spinning out of control.
- This is driving me up a wall.
- I’m at loose ends.
- It all seems like a bad dream.
- I feel like I’m on the ropes.
- I think I’m going to throw in the towel.
- After I try my best, and I find a lot of good that does.
- Where can I turn to?
- It hit me like a ton of bricks.
Losing a job
Out-positive / Agreement url
I think it’s good that you’ve been going to sleep earlier and getting more sleep.
- I’m glad you approve.
- You better believe it!
- That’s the understatement of the year.
- That’s exactly how I feel about it.
- I can feel the improvement already.
I think it’s good that you’ve been going to sleep earlier and getting more sleep.
Out-neutral / Advice url
Restraint-3
- Loose lips sink ships.
- Don’t get all worked up.
- Take it easy!
- Keep it under wraps.
- Don’t spill the beans.
- Grab a hold of yourself, don’t you have any self-control?
- Keep it to yourself.
- Don’t go overboard.
- You can’t take the law into your own hands.
- You got a good thing going, and I wouldn’t drop it so fast if I were you.
- Let it drop.
Restraint-3
In-positive / Surprise url
A friend wins a big prize
- That’s a nice surprise.
- It’s like something out of a movie.
- You’re pulling my leg.
- Now how do you like that?
- I was so surprised when it happened.
- Get a load of this.
- Good heavens!
- Well blow me down.
- So what do you know?
A friend wins a big prize
Out-neutral / Observation url
About Others – Neutral-1
- She took it upon herself.
- He’s sleeping like a log.
- She’s waiting on him hand and foot.
- She’s just another pretty face.
- He’s a chip off the old block.
- He’s going to wait until hell freezes over.
- He’s a high as a kite.
- She’s been through that before.
- You heard him as well as I did.
- I brought her up to date.
About Others – Neutral-1
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I find your viewpoint hard to understand-2
- The two things are as different as night and day.
- What are you getting at?
- You’re making a mountain out of a mole hill.
- I’ve heard that line before.
- Give me a straight answer.
- I think you’re being too narrow minded.
- Do you realize what you’re saying?
- I can’t figure you out.
- How do you explain that?
- Oh yes, didn’t you know that?
- Ah, come on now, you must be kidding.
- Now what do you mean by that?
- Why would I want to do something like that?
- I have bigger fish to fry.
I find your viewpoint hard to understand-2
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who’s tied in a final set of a tennis match
- That’s the spirit.
- You’ve got it in the palm of your hand.
- You’ve got what it takes.
- You’ve got to come through, we’re all depending on you.
- We’re all rooting for you.
- Take the bull by the horns.
- You can do it.
- The ball is in your court.
- Give it your best shot.
- Give it the old college try.
- We’re all counting on you.
- It’s all up to you.
- Get a move on it, and strike the iron while it’s hot.
- It’s shaping up to be a moment of truth.
- This is your big chance, don’t blow it.
For a friend who’s tied in a final set of a tennis match