In-negative / Explaining url
Not doing work assignment on time

- I bit off more than I could chew.
- I didn’t accomplish as much as I thought I would.
- I took my best shot.
- That’s the best that I can do.
- It took me longer than I thought it would.
- I’ve been under a lot of pressure lately.
- I was sure I could do more in the time that I had.
- The whole thing blew up in my face.
- I promise to do better next time.
- I don’t know how to answer your question.
- It totally slipped my mind.
- I knew there was something I forgot to do.
- I have no excuse.
Not doing work assignment on time
Out-positive / Agreement url
If they closed 3rd Street to traffic the stores on that block would do more business.

- I think you’re onto something.
- I guess you’re right.
- That’s certainly an idea that’s worth trying.
- That sounds like a good idea to me.
- That make’s sense.
- I think they should give it a shot.
- Likewise!
If they closed 3rd Street to traffic the stores on that block would do more business.
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
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who just got into a top business school

- You sure have come a long way.
- I’m not surprised that you succeeded, I always knew you had it in you.
- Shoot for the moon, and give it all you’ve got.
- You’re as smart as a whip.
- There’s no limit to what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.
- What more could you ask for?
- With this under your belt, a golden future can be yours.
- I have absolute faith in you.
- It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
- I don’t know how you accomplished so much in such a short period of time.
For a friend who just got into a top business school
Out-neutral / Advice url
Let it go

- Don’t prolong the agony.
- Get your mind off the subject.
- Let yourself go.
- Let it all hang out.
- Don’t dwell on it.
- Go with the flow.
- Let it flow freely.
- Put it all behind you.
- The best thing is to roll with the punches.
- A watched pot never boils.
Let it go
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-negative / Annoyed url
You are crazy

- You’re out of your mind.
- Your mind is twisted.
- What do you have, rocks in your head?
- What’s wrong with you?
- You could drive a person insane.
- Are you out of your mind?
- Have you lost your mind?
- You don’t know what you’re saying.
- What’s gotten into you?
- You doesn’t know if you’re coming or going.
- You’ve got some nerve.
- You don’t know what you’re talking about.
- You’re off the wall.
- You’re as crazy as a loon.
- That’s ridiculous.
- How can you justify to yourself what you are doing?
- You should be ashamed of yourself!
- How could you do such a thing?
- Every once in a while you need to be put in your place.
- I don’t see how anybody in their right mind would do something like that.
You are crazy
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
In-positive / Confidence url
To a child going in for an operation

- It’ll be over before you know it.
- It’s all going to work out.
- It’s going to be alright.
- It’ll happen before you know it.
- We’ll pull you through it fine.
- It should be smooth sailing ahead.
- We’re in the best of hands.
- You don’t have to worry about a thing.
- You’ll be very well taken care of.
To a child going in for an operation
In-negative / Desperation url
Being charge with tax evasion

- I’m up the creek without a paddle.
- I never thought it would come to this.
- I’ve reached the end of my rope.
- I’ve become a laughing stock.
- I’ve been crazy with worry.
- My back is up against the wall.
- What have I gotten myself into?
- I suspect that it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
- I feel like I’m fraying around the edges.
- I feel like I’ve been through the mill.
- What have I gotten myself into?
Being charge with tax evasion
Out-neutral / Advice url
Slow down

- Just slow down and review your options before you make a rash move.
- Take it one step at a time.
- You have all the time in the world.
- Take your time.
- You have to think this through.
- That take’s time.
- Slow down and take a deep breath.
- You deserve a break.
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Slow down
Out-neutral / Advice url
Priorities

- First things first.
- Don’t put the cart before the horse.
- Just stick to business.
- Don’t waste your time.
- I think you’re cutting off your nose to spite your face.
- Put your best foot forward.
- Don’t let yourself get sidetracked.
Priorities