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
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
We agree
- Let’s shake on it.
- It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.
- The price is right.
- Without further ado, I’m going to accept your generous offer.
- This is a win-win deal for both us.
- That’s an offer I can’t refuse.
We agree
Out-neutral / Advice url
Caution-3
- We’ve got to lay low for a while until the whole things blows over.
- Play your cards close to your vest.
- It’ll come back to haunt you.
- My advice is to keep your eye on it.
- You might regret it for the rest of your life.
- You’re fighting a loosing battle.
- Take everything they say with a grain of salt.
- Your life may depend on it.
- I have a feeling that you might be starting off on the wrong foot.
- Handle it with kid gloves.
- The bigger they are the harder they fall.
- You really have to watch out for things like that.
- Steer clear of it.
- You’re skating on thin ice.
- Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.
- The odds are against you.
- There are no guarantees.
- It will get you when you least expect it.
- He’s not playing with a full deck.
- That defeats the whole purpose.
- It's unpredictable, and it’s a close call, going down to the wire, and we might not have a clear indication of where it's heading until the last minute - and then it might be too late to change course to salvage the situation.
Caution-3
Out-neutral / Observation url
About Others – Negative-2
- She’s as skinny as a rail.
- She’s as cold as a fish.
- He’s loosing his nerve.
- She’s gone overboard, and I don’t see that there’s any restraint in what she’s doing.
- He’s torn apart inside.
- She’s crying her eyes out.
- She wouldn’t lift a finger.
- I don’t think he’ll be very pleased.
- I feel bad for him.
- He’s really off the wall.
- He’s having trouble making ends meet.
- His stomach’s a bottomless pit.
- He thinks that everything is coming to him.
About Others – Negative-2
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
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Not catching a fish
- Kiss this one goodbye.
- It’s not like I have much of a choice.
- I’ll be darned if I can help it.
- That’s the way it is.
- It’s not that bad.
- There’s not much I can do about it now.
- I’m going to let bygones be bygones.
Not catching a fish
Out-neutral / Advice url
Caution-1
- Look before you leap.
- You’ve got to take it with a grain of salt.
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
- Don’t quit your day job.
- I wouldn’t touch that with a ten foot pole.
- It’s going to be harder and take longer than you anticipate.
- That's better left unsaid.
- There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip.
- Take a closer look.
- I wouldn’t do that if I were you.
- Don’t take chances.
- You’re going to be sorry.
- Curiosity killed the cat.
- You should know better than that.
- He’s all bark and no bite.
- Better to be safe than sorry.
- Even though he’s well intentioned, he ends up doing a lot of damage anyway.
- The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
- Let's keep on the safe side.
- That is vastly overrated.
Caution-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
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-neutral / Negotiating url
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-1
- What are you trying to say?
- I’ll think about it.
- I’m open to your suggestions.
- I’m trying to see it through your eyes.
- I’m willing to learn.
- I’ll think about it and let you know.
- You’re entitled to your opinion.
- Just what do you mean by that?
- I’ll try to keep it in mind.
- You want to run that by me again?
- Can you tell me the difference?
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-1
In-positive / Amazed url
After seeing a great magic trick
- That’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life.
- I can’t believe it.
- At first glance, it didn’t seem in the realm of possibility.
- It’s enough to blow your mind.
- It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.
- It happened right before my eyes, and I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself.
- It knocked my socks off.
- This one tops them all.
- Boy oh boy!
- That’s a show stopper.
- Goodness gracious!
- How did he do that?
- I don’t know how you did this.
- My goodness, how did that happen?
After seeing a great magic trick
In-negative / Confusion url
Waking up after a deep sleep.
- I fell into a deep sleep, and when I woke up I was so disoriented that for a short while I couldn’t remember where I was.
- My mind is going in ten different directions.
- I don’t know what to make of it.
- What time is it?
- How did I get here?
- I could use a breath of fresh air.
- What’s going on here?
- I don’t have the bandwidth to deal with it right now.
- I don’t feel like myself.
- I’m so tired, I can hardly see straight.
Waking up after a deep sleep.