In-neutral / Acceptance url
Remembering the night the car broke down
- I would just as soon forget the whole thing.
- That’s ancient history.
- That’s the way the story goes.
- It’s water under the bridge.
- That’s water over the dam.
- You learn from experience.
- The best that I can say is that it could have ended up much worse.
- I’m thinking about it a lot.
- How soon we forget.
- How time flies
Remembering the night the car broke down
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
Out-positive / Friendship url
Happy for you
- I’m glad to hear it.
- I’m so happy for you.
- I’m really happy to hear it.
- Isn’t that nice.
- That’s wonderful news!
- Your bringing me up to date really makes my day.
Happy for you
Out-positive / Friendship url
Having fun-1
- Time flies when you’re having fun.
- Here’s looking at you.
- Here’s to you.
- The more the merrier.
- Do you want to go for a spin?
- This will be a night to remember.
- Do you want something to wet your whistle?
- I’m headed your way.
- Going my way?
Having fun-1
In-positive / Determination url
A boxer
- I can take what they dish out.
- I’m as hard as nails.
- I’ve made up my mind.
- I won’t allow it.
- I jumped in with both feet.
- I stick to my guns.
- I don’t know the meaning of the word quit.
- I’ve taken the worst that they can dish out, and I’ve still survived.
A boxer
In-negative / Disappointment url
Couple discussing ending a relationship
- Talk is cheap.
- We’re drifting farther and farther apart.
- We didn’t hit it off too well.
- I sense that there’s no room in your life for me.
- There’s no point in continuing.
- I’m just not in the mood for putting any more work in it.
- I just don’t see it going anywhere.
- I saw the handwriting on the wall.
- I don’t feel that we’re on the same wavelength.
- I think this is what’s better for both of us in the long run.
- This time I really put my foot in my mouth.
- I think we’ve hit a brick wall.
- You broke my heart.
- I feel that it’s all an exercise in futility.
- Where has all the time gone?
- I realize now that I’ve been barking up the wrong tree.
- It’s outlived its usefulness.
- Ain’t that a crying shame?
Couple discussing ending a relationship
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-neutral url
Patience-2
- Don’t make a snap decision.
- Rome wasn’t built in a day.
- She just needs time.
- Sleep on it.
- Sit tight!
- It takes time.
- Be patient and cool your heels, because I fully expect that she’ll come around eventually.
- Keep your shirt on.
- We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Patience-2
Out-positive / Apology url
After a boss tells a worker that management won’t let him give the worker an expected raise
- I only wish I could have done more.
- I did the best I could.
- I’m sorry, my hands are tied.
- It might not make any sense to you, but that’s what they decided, and I hope you understand.
- I’m sorry that it’s not the answer you hoped for.
- My apologies that it took me longer to get the answer than I thought it would.
- I hope that we’ll be able to give you a better answer next time.
- I’m hoping this is something you can live with for the time being.
- I was told to explain to you that it’s due to circumstances beyond their control.
- Please give us a chance to make it up to you next time.
After a boss tells a worker that management won’t let him give the worker an expected raise
Out-neutral / Advice url
Restraint-3
- Loose lips sink ships.
- Don’t get all worked up.
- Take it easy!
- Keep it under wraps.
- Don’t spill the beans.
- Grab a hold of yourself, don’t you have any self-control?
- Keep it to yourself.
- Don’t go overboard.
- You can’t take the law into your own hands.
- You got a good thing going, and I wouldn’t drop it so fast if I were you.
- Let it drop.
Restraint-3
In-positive / Hope url
Looking for a lost dog
- I’m sure that something will come up.
- Let’s hope for the best.
- I certainly hope so.
- With a bit of luck perhaps it will all work out fine in the end.
- There’s light at the end of the tunnel.
- Anything’s possible.
- Even if it doesn’t turn out for the best, we’ll eventually recover.
- Even in the worst scenario, we’ll be back on our feet in no time at all.
- You never know.
- There’s always hope.
- The darkest time is just before the dawn.
- Hopefully we will soon see light at the end of the tunnel.
Looking for a lost dog
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I will win
- I got you right where I want you.
- It’s my way or the highway.
- Finders keeper losers weepers.
- Eat your heart out.
- The last laugh will be on you.
- I read you like a book.
- I’ve got the upper hand.
- My, my, my, said the spider to the fly.
I will win