In-neutral / Acceptance url
Asking someone for a date, and being told no
- I’m hearing the message loud and clear.
- All’s fair in love and war.
- Time heals all wounds.
- I could have guessed as much.
- I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.
- It doesn’t matter to me in the least.
- I get the drift.
- That’s just the way people are.
- I don’t really mind.
- Love makes the world go around.
- Your wish is my command.
- You can’t say I didn’t try.
Asking someone for a date, and being told no
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who won the race for State Senator against a more popular candidate
- You came out smelling like a rose.
- I don’t know how you pulled this one off, but I’m impressed.
- You sure have come a long way.
- You handled it like a pro.
- You’re one of a kind.
- We’ve been behind you all the way.
- Your speech was spoken like a true diplomat.
- Apparently you made quite an impression.
For a friend who won the race for State Senator against a more popular candidate
In-neutral / Caution url
Telling someone a secret
- The less said about it the better.
- Don’t breathe a word of it.
- I was sworn to secrecy.
- Mum’s the word.
- This could be something that I might come to regret.
- This might be against my better judgement.
- I have to ask myself, why am I doing this?
Telling someone a secret
Out-neutral / Advice url
Don’t worry
- Don’t be a worry-wart.
- Don’t worry about it.
- Put it out of your mind.
- Don’t sit around moping, and get on with your life.
- I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you.
- You should look at the bright side of things, and not always be filled with doom and gloom.
- His bark is worse than his bite.
Don’t worry
In-positive / Hope url
Before they announce the winner of the lottery
- I think this is it.
- It’s the chance of a lifetime.
- You know anything’s possible!
- We’re banking on it.
- Even if we don’t win, there’s always next year.
- One could only hope.
- This is the moment that we’ve all been waiting for.
- Maybe it will be different this time.
- Keep your fingers crossed.
- We’re hoping there’s a pot of gold on the other side of the rainbow.
- The price is right.
- I hope and pray that the money will now just start rolling in.
- This could be our ticket to freedom.
- Hope springs eternal.
- I have high hopes for it.
- I have a lot riding on it.
- A big change for the better might be just around the corner.
- It would be the answer to my prayers.
Before they announce the winner of the lottery
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Losing an election
- I guess I had it coming to me.
- It’s just wasn’t in the cards.
- You win some, you loose some.
- I guess I’ll just have to learn to live with it.
- I think I got the picture.
- That’s about the size of it.
- He was bound and determined to do it.
- He won, hands down.
- He’s a better man than I am.
- It’s was a forgone conclusion.
- The show’s over.
- That’s just the way it is.
- It was a missed opportunity.
- I had a feeling that would happen.
Losing an election
Out-neutral / Advice url
Action-3
- You best be on your way.
- Play it till the hilt.
- Your choice is clear.
- You can sink or swim.
- Don’t hold yourself back.
- You’ve got nothing to lose.
- Why don’t you give it a try?
- The early bird catches the worm.
- Try and patch things up.
- Set your sights high.
- Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
Action-3
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
You’re not negotiating well-2
- Did that ever occur to you?
- I was afraid you’d do that.
- You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
- Don’t keep harping on it.
- Why did you bring it up in the first place?
- That’s a cop out.
- We’re finally talking about something important, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t change the subject.
- Who asked you?
- That’s the oldest trick in the book.
- You let the cat out of the bag.
- You cried wolf once too often.
- If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
- Come on, spill the beans.
- You act like someone with a chip on his shoulder.
- You can’t pull the wool over my eyes.
- You’re acting like you have a chip on your shoulder.
- You give me no choice but to do what I feel is my obligation to do.
You’re not negotiating well-2
Out-positive / Concern url
Meeting a friend who’s been up all night studying for a test.
- Perhaps you waited too long to take care of it.
- Have you’ve been burning the midnight oil?
- Next time try not to wait until the last minute.
- You’re working yourself to the bone.
- Perhaps you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.
- You should try to pace yourself better.
- Don’t worry about it, just do your best, and I'm sure that will be good enough.
- You shouldn’t save everything for the last minute.
- You’re burning the candle at both ends.
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Meeting a friend who’s been up all night studying for a test.
Out-negative / Push away url
Don’t push me
- Don’t rush me.
- Don’t pressure me, I’m going to get around to it in my own sweet time.
- I will do whatever I want to do in my own back yard.
- Don’t put pressure on me.
- Who do you think I am anyway?
- It’s a free country.
- Don’t play games with me.
- Don’t stand in my way.
- Don’t give me the third degree.
Don’t push me
Out-neutral / Advice url
Be open-minded about other people
- He’s a cut above.
- I’m sure he’d be glad to do what you want.
- He has a mind of his own.
- She’s a tough cookie, but if you have patience, she’s something worth waiting for.
- I must admit, that even though it may not appear that way at first glance, that there’s a certain logic to what he’s saying.
- Don’t pass judgement.
- Two heads are better than one.
- If you can’t beat them, join them.
- She’s giving you every chance under the sun.
- I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it.
Be open-minded about other people
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