Total Phrases- 4535
289 of 402

In-negative / Explaining url

Trying to fix work-mate’s computer

  1. I found the problem, but I just need time to fix it.
  2. I’m a little rusty.
  3. I’m working on it.
  4. I've hit a brick wall.
  5. I tried my best, but I guess that just wasn’t good enough.
  6. It doesn’t look like I’m making much headway.
  7. Oh well, it was worth a try.
  8. It may look simple, but it's really complicated.
  9. You can’t blame a fellow for trying.
  10. I’m sorry that it just didn’t work out.
  11. Back to the drawing board.
  12. I got more than I bargained for.
  13. That’s easier said than done.
  14. It was a shot in the dark.
  15. That’s what I could do.
  16. I’m sure you were expecting more from me.
  17. I’m trying my best.
  18. That’s the only thing I can think of.

Trying to fix work-mate’s computer

In-negative / Explaining
290 of 402

Out-positive / Encouragement url

For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss

  1. There’s nothing to be afraid of.
  2. You have nothing to worry about.
  3. Don’t sell yourself short.
  4. What’s holding you back?
  5. What could go wrong?
  6. Your fears are your worst enemy.
  7. I'm sure they're going to appreciate your trying.
  8. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
  9. At the very worst, they won't use your idea, but it’s certainly not going to hurt anything.
  10. What's the downside?
  11. Grab the brass ring.
  12. Maybe they’ll take you up on it.
  13. What’s the worst case scenario?
  14. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
  15. No pain, no gain.
  16. Speak up and make yourself heard.
  17. 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.
  18. Just remind yourself that speaking up is not a bad choice, mind you.
  19. Don’t worry, they’ll understand.
  20. They’re on the up and up, and they’re not going to pull any punches.
  21. You need to stand up for yourself.
  22. I think you should jump at the opportunity.
  23. It never hurts to ask.

For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss

Out-positive / Encouragement
291 of 402

Out-positive / Encouragement url

To a High School student who won the science fair

  1. You’re a real expert.
  2. That needed out of the box thinking, and you rose to the occasion.
  3. You should be proud of the fact that you did it all by yourself, with almost no help from anyone else.
  4. You just scratched the surface of what you can accomplish.
  5. I guess you’re curious about what makes things tick.
  6. It’s right up your alley.

To a High School student who won the science fair

Out-positive / Encouragement
292 of 402

Out-positive / Agreement url

Do you think we’d be healthier if we used the staircase instead of the elevator?

  1. You couldn’t be more right.
  2. Of course!
  3. I bet you’re right.
  4. It’s worth a try.
  5. I’m all in.
  6. I’ll go along with that.
  7. Now that's a great idea!
  8. That stands to reason.
  9. That makes so much more sense.
  10. You have a good point.

Do you think we’d be healthier if we used the staircase instead of the elevator?

Out-positive / Agreement
293 of 402

Out-neutral / Negotiating url

Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-3

  1. Don’t go back on your word.
  2. Let’s get back to basics.
  3. Give me a fair shake.
  4. I think you’re just trying to soften me up.
  5. Don’t jump to conclusions.
  6. Don’t put me on the spot.
  7. Be up front with me, and don’t go behind my back.
  8. I wouldn’t be too sure of yourself if I were you.
  9. You’d better be on the level.
  10. Don’t whittle away at me.
  11. It seems like everything I say falls on deaf ears.
  12. I’m a man of principle, and I’m not going to compromise my principles or standards to stoop and do something like that.
  13. I’m not made of money.

Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-3

Out-neutral / Negotiating
294 of 402

In-positive / Happiness url

Getting jewelry as a present

  1. This really tickles my fancy.
  2. It fit’s like a glove.
  3. I’m tickled pink about it.
  4. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
  5. It looks just wonderful.
  6. It’s a winning combination.
  7. It makes all the difference in the world.

Getting jewelry as a present

In-positive / Happiness
295 of 402

In-negative / Confusion url

Trying to understand current events

  1. Can you help me figure out what’s going on?
  2. I don’t know who to believe anymore.
  3. Frankly, none of this make sense.
  4. I’m totally baffled.
  5. I don’t have a clue about what is going on.
  6. I’m totally dumbfounded.
  7. It puzzles me.
  8. I don’t know what to make of it.
  9. What do you make of it?
  10. What does it all mean?
  11. How has it come to this?

Trying to understand current events

In-negative / Confusion
296 of 402

In-positive / Determination url

Musician practicing

  1. I have my work cut out for me.
  2. When I put my mind to it I can do anything!
  3. It’s a tough road ahead, but mark my word, I'm going to make it.
  4. I’m determined to show the true grit that is part of my DNA.
  5. Let’s rise to the occasion.
  6. I am coming up to speed, slowly but surely.

Musician practicing

In-positive / Determination
297 of 402

Out-positive / Agreement url

There’s nothing like a good, brisk walk.

  1. That very well may be true.
  2. I won’t argue with you.
  3. You hit it on the head.
  4. It really hits the spot.
  5. You’ve got a good point.
  6. I’ll grant you that.
  7. I can verify what you’re saying from personal experience.
  8. It make’s good sense.
  9. That’s understandable.

There’s nothing like a good, brisk walk.

Out-positive / Agreement
298 of 402

In-neutral / Acceptance url

Losing money in the stock market

  1. It happens to the best of us.
  2. Life goes on.
  3. You can’t turn back the hands of time.
  4. Let the chips fall where they may.
  5. You can’t take it with you.
  6. Money isn’t everything.
  7. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
  8. This too will pass.
  9. Easy come, easy go.
  10. I’ll take full responsibility for it.
  11. It was bound to happen.
  12. We live and learn.

Losing money in the stock market

In-neutral / Acceptance
299 of 402

Out-negative / Push away url

Stay away from me

  1. You give me the creeps.
  2. Keep your claws off me.
  3. You make my skin crawl.
  4. That’s none of your business.
  5. That’s not for you to judge.
  6. Keep your hands to yourself.
  7. Don’t rain on my parade.
  8. Don’t come barging in here.
  9. I’ve had enough of this, I want out.
  10. Good riddance!
  11. Oh, get lost.
  12. Don’t overstay your welcome.

Stay away from me

Out-negative / Push away
300 of 402

Out-neutral / Observation url

About Others – Neutral-3

  1. She talks a mile a minute.
  2. She’s got a vivid imagination.
  3. She didn’t even bat an eye.
  4. She’s going through a phase.
  5. She wears the pants in the family.
  6. They need all the help they can get.
  7. They’re really living high on the hog, but I suspect that it’s beyond their means.
  8. He’s got to work this out for himself.
  9. She’ll show her true colors.
  10. She’ll change her tune.
  11. I didn’t see neither hide nor hair of him since it happened.

About Others – Neutral-3

Out-neutral / Observation