Out-positive / Agreement url
Can I borrow a book, if I give it back within a week?
- By all means.
- No problem.
- I don’t mind a bit.
- Okie dokie.
- I don’t have any objection.
Can I borrow a book, if I give it back within a week?
In-positive / Determination url
Manager of sales
- What are we waiting for?
- Strike while the iron is hot.
- We shouldn’t let this opportunity slip through our fingers.
- Let me make myself crystal clear.
- We have to take our chances.
- Let’s just get the ball rolling.
- That settles it.
- We’re off to a flying start.
- Even though in the short run it may be very difficult, in the long run it has the highest chances of success.
- Let’s take the ball and run with it.
- Oh well, it's back to the drawing board.
- You can’t put me off for another minute.
- We got off to a rip-roaring start.
- There’s no I in team.
- There's nothing that we can't accomplish if we put our minds to it.
- We can come up to speed in no time at all.
- We’re making up for lost time.
- Let's push it over the top.
- The goal is well within our reach.
- We have to be on the top of our game, and not get lulled into complacency.
Manager of sales
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
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-negative / Annoyed url
Listen to me-2
- Are you paying attention – it seems that what I’m saying is going in one ear and out the other.
- You got that?
- Can you get it through your thick skull?
- I’m trying to pound it into your head.
- You’re memory is like a sieve.
- Out with it.
- Don’t you ever forget that.
- Give me a straight answer.
- Why can’t I get through to you?
- You’re excused, but make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Listen to me-2
In-negative / Doubt url
Being told that a bad investment you made will go back up
- You’re just trying to make me feel better.
- How can you be so sure?
- I think the truth is more complicated than the way you’re making it sound.
- What you’re saying just doesn’t hold water.
- I wouldn’t hold my breath.
- That’ll be the day.
- I don’t believe it for a minute.
- After what already happened, what difference does it make anyway?
- Maybe yes, maybe no.
Being told that a bad investment you made will go back up
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 / Surprise url
You win the lottery
- The experience was so strange that I felt I was entering into never-never land.
- You could have knocked me over with a feather.
- Oh my gosh!
- It happened just outta the blue.
- It really blew my mind.
- Can you believe it?
- Boy, I’m telling you.
- One thing happened after another, and suddenly I found myself in a position that was totally unexpected.
You win the lottery
Out-positive / Friendship url
Generosity
- Take to your hearts content.
- Whatever is mine is yours.
- My heart is overflowing with a desire to give to you.
- I want you to feel totally comfortable here.
- I want you to regard my house as your home away from home.
- If everything is not totally to your liking, just let me know.
- Allow me to do something for you for a change.
- Share and share alike.
- I’m at your beck and call.
Generosity
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-positive / Thanks url
General thanks
- That was real sweet of you.
- You’re a life saver.
- I’m touched by your concern.
- Thank you for the kind words.
- I owe you one.
- Let me make it up to you.
- Thank you for your patience.
- I appreciate the suggestion.
- One good turn deserves another.
- Thanks for letting me know.
- I owe you a great deal.
- You’re always there when I need a friend.
- I couldn’t have done it without you.
- That’s nice of you to say that.
- I just may take you up on that.
- Don’t think for one minute that I wouldn’t do the same for you.
- It’s the thought that counts.
- I would be delighted to accept your generous offer.
- Thanks for giving me the red carpet treatment.
- I feel like this is my home away from home.
- I was as hungry as a bear, and I really appreciate the delicious meal.
- Thanks for the warning.
- What you did was incredibly helpful.
- Thank you for the useful tip.
General thanks
In-negative / Explaining url
Refusing to lie on a tax return to save money
- What did you expect me to do?
- That’s not my style.
- Why should I take the risk?
- I do what I have to do.
- I’m doing it just to be on the safe side.
- It’s taking all my will power to resist.
- I was holding on by a thread.
- I think it's the best thing to do.
- My hands are tied.
- It’s out of my hands.
- I’m conflicted about it.
- I shudder when I think of the downside of doing this.
- I’d rather play it safe.
- It's the right thing to do.
- I just can’t take the chance.
- The risks far outweigh the benefits.
- The way I look at it, I really don’t have much of a choice.
- I can’t see myself doing that.
Refusing to lie on a tax return to save money