Out-negative / Anger url
You deserve punishment
- It serves you right.
- No more Mister nice guy.
- You’re asking for it.
- You deserved exactly what you got.
- You won’t get away with this.
- You’ll pay for this.
- You’re not fit to wipe my feet on.
You deserve punishment
In-positive / Determination url
Manager with a new employee
- The early bird catches the worm.
- I won’t take no for an answer.
- Let’s skip the formalities, and cut to the chase.
- I'm going to get right down to brass tacks.
- Let’s get a move on it.
- A word to the wise is sufficient.
- It’s just not done that way around here.
- Do whatever it is you have to do.
Manager with a new employee
Out-positive / Agreement url
I think we both could use another vacation
- I’m with you all the way.
- I’m on board.
- That sounds right-on.
- You can say that again.
- Boy, don’t I know it.
- You’re on.
- I can testify from the bottom of my heart that you are right.
- What you’re saying rings true.
- OK, sounds like a plan.
- OK, let’s go, I’m ready whenever you are.
- Awesome!
I think we both could use another vacation
In-negative / Doubt url
Police questioning thief
- Your story doesn’t hold water.
- Can you please run that by me again?
- That’s hard to believe.
- You expect me to believe that?
- There’s something fishy about your story.
- You’re lying through his teeth.
- What you’re tell me just doesn’t wash.
- Do you expect me to believe that cock and bull story?
- That’s nothing new.
- It’s too late for that.
- I think you’ve been up to no good.
- You can talk till you’re blue in the face, I just don’t buy it.
Police questioning thief
In-positive / Confidence url
Preparing a new military strategy
- The coast is clear.
- Don’t you worry about it.
- Heaven helps those who help themselves.
- Everything’s under control.
- I know what the score is.
- I’m ready, willing, and able.
- He who hesitates is lost.
- Things are falling into place.
- I just had a brainstorm.
- We’re entering the home stretch, and I think we’ll soon see that all our hard work will soon be handsomely rewarded.
- It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.
Preparing a new military strategy
In-negative / Explaining url
After shoving a neighbor in a fight
- It was just a misunderstanding.
- I can’t explain it.
- I admit it, I cracked under pressure.
- I would like to try to set things straight.
- It’s all my fault.
- I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
- There’s a first time for everything.
- I acted on impulse.
- What can I say?
- I was taken off guard.
- Don’t get the wrong impression.
- Things just got out of hand.
- My pride got in the way.
- I hope I didn’t come on too strong.
- My emotions got the better of me.
- I really didn’t intend for things to turn out the way they did.
After shoving a neighbor in a fight
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
In-negative / Desperation url
Lost in the woods 1
- I’ve run out of steam.
- The situation is so grim.
- The situation was so dangerous that I thought it was curtains.
- It’s no use.
- I’m worried to death.
- I feel sick like a dog.
- I can’t cope with it.
- I’m scared to death.
- Time is running out.
- It’s all a nightmare.
- I’m never going to make it.
- I’m reaching the end of my rope.
- Don’t even bother.
Lost in the woods 1
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Let’s pause & cool it off for now
- I think we should leave it well enough alone.
- It doesn’t matter.
- Let’s just call it a day.
- Let’s leave it at that for now.
- You don’t have to decide right away, because the offer is always open.
- Let’s change the subject.
- The less said about it, the better.
- Let’s leave it at that.
- Let’s sleep on it.
- Let’s just call it quits for now, OK?
Let’s pause & cool it off for now
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Losing money in the stock market
- It happens to the best of us.
- Life goes on.
- You can’t turn back the hands of time.
- Let the chips fall where they may.
- You can’t take it with you.
- Money isn’t everything.
- That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
- This too will pass.
- Easy come, easy go.
- I’ll take full responsibility for it.
- It was bound to happen.
- We live and learn.
Losing money in the stock market
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Someone else gets the main role in the play
- Live and let live.
- That really doesn’t surprise me.
- It’s over and done with.
- Let the better man win.
- That’s all the more reason to leave things the way they are and not make waves.
- It’s just as well.
Someone else gets the main role in the play
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.