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 / Apology url
After stepping on someone’s foot by mistake
- Do you forgive me?
- I’ll take full responsibility for it.
- Whoops, that was a mistake.
- I didn’t mean to do that.
- It was completely unintentional.
- I hope you accept my apologies.
- I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it.
- I hope I wasn’t too rough on you.
- I hope I didn’t do anything terribly wrong.
After stepping on someone’s foot by mistake
In-positive / Determination url
General during battle
- We’ll see what we can do to rectify the situation.
- Never, never, never give up.
- I’m a stubborn man.
- You’ve got to be tough as leather.
- Don’t give up the ship.
- That’s an order.
- Might makes right.
- I have no choice but to take matters in my own hands.
- If the enemy breaches our last line of defense, will we have to defend our position with all we've got.
- I’ve just begun to fight.
- I’ll take my chances.
- I’ll guard it with my life.
- I’m determined to go through with the plan.
- This is the moment of truth that will test our mettle, to see what stuff we are really made of.
- It’s now or never.
- It’s above and beyond the call of duty.
- We shall overcome.
- We’ve crossed the point of no return.
General during battle
In-negative / Disappointment url
Getting a speeding ticket
- I have no one to blame but myself.
- I need that like a hole in the head.
- That’s what I was afraid of.
- That’s the last thing I wanted.
- What a shame!
- That’s just my luck.
- It happens to the best of us.
- But I don’t have to like it, do I?
Getting a speeding ticket
In-positive / Determination url
Lost in the woods
- I’m not giving up so easily.
- That’s a risk I’m just going to have to take.
- I better get out of here soon.
- I’ve got to get a handle on the situation.
- OK, let’s get the heck out of here.
- I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.
- Time is of the essence.
- Let’s get the hell out of here.
Lost in the woods
Out-neutral / Advice url
Others - Protect yourself-1
- You’ve got to watch him like a hawk.
- You’ve over estimated him.
- Appearances can be deceiving.
- Beauty is only skin deep.
- Don’t let him out of your sight.
- She’s as slippery as an eel.
- If you want my advice, I’d say just drop him like a hot potato.
- He’ll take you to the cleaners.
- Let him make the first move.
- She’s got you in the palm of her hand.
- He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.
- He’s out to lunch.
- Sometimes he acts like a bull in a china shop.
Others - Protect yourself-1
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Express your viewpoint
- Speak now or forever hold your peace.
- You go right ahead.
- Speak for yourself.
- Shoot from the hip.
- Why didn’t you say something?
- Put your money where your mouth is.
- That’s your opinion.
- You can talk to your heart’s content.
- Cat got your tongue?
- Judge for yourself.
- You’re a free agent.
- If you’ve get something to say, say it.
- Run it by me again.
- Come on, out with it.
Express your viewpoint
In-negative / Explaining url
Throwing out a bag of laundry by mistake
- How was I supposed to know?
- What did I do this time?
- That never would have occurred to me.
- I wish I had known.
- I had no way of knowing.
- OK, I’m not perfect.
- I apologize profusely.
- It was totally unintentional.
- There’s nothing I can do about it now.
- My humble apologies.
- Sorry about that.
- If I knew what I was doing, I certainly wouldn’t have done it.
- I certainly didn’t do it on purpose.
- They looked so similar that I had no way of knowing.
- It came as a surprise to me.
- I’m awfully sorry.
- How was I supposed to know that?
Throwing out a bag of laundry by mistake
In-negative / Doubt url
Being told you should convince the company president to change policy
- That’s like the tail wagging the dog.
- That’s not the way to go about doing it.
- I don’t think that will work out so well.
- He won’t go for that.
- It might have just the opposite from the intended effect.
- The effort could boomerang on our heads.
- He might not take it the right way.
- You’ve got to be kidding!
- It’s not worth it.
Being told you should convince the company president to change policy
In-negative / Doubt url
Being told that a certain penny stock is a sure thing
- I have a nagging suspicion that this isn’t on the up and up.
- I don’t feel right about it.
- I just can’t buy that.
- You can’t fool me.
- I’ve heard that before.
- That’s wishful thinking.
- It’s a figment of your imagination.
- Whatever gave you that idea?
- I wouldn’t be too sure.
- It won’t hold water.
- I find that very hard to believe.
- What are you talking about?
- If I did that, it would be against my better judgement.
Being told that a certain penny stock is a sure thing
Out-negative / Anger url
Stay away from me
- Mind your own business.
- Don’t butt in.
- Will you lay off?
- Don’t start with me.
- Stay out of it and mind your own business.
- I don’t want your two cents worth.
- Keep your hands to yourself.
- Leave me alone.
- It is no business of yours.
- Stop bugging me.
Stay away from me
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