Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Don’t let your attitude interfere
- Don’t be a stickler for details.
- Don’t get all huffy.
- Don’t make a federal case out of it.
- Please get to the point, and don’t beat around the bush.
- Don’t make such a big production of it.
- You can’t pass judgment.
- You are blowing things out of proportion.
- You’re as stubborn as a mule.
Don’t let your attitude interfere
In-negative / Disappointment url
Dropping out of Law School
- I didn’t accomplish as much as I thought I would.
- So far I haven’t seen much progress.
- I’m batting zero.
- It’s nobody’s fault but my own.
- It’s not going anywhere, so why continue?
- I’m dropping out before it gets any worse.
- With my track record, I don’t think I have much of a choice.
- I’m a bit disappointed in my performance.
- I fully expected that I could have done better than I did.
- I just wasn’t good enough.
- It was just beyond my reach.
- It’s been an unmitigated disaster.
Dropping out of Law School
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Breaking up with someone
- It’s gone with the wind.
- It doesn’t matter.
- That’s the way it is.
- It makes good sense.
- Different strokes for different folks.
- I’ll just have to learn to live with it.
- It was nice while it lasted.
- It’s over once and for all.
- It’s over and done with.
- It’s all the same to me.
- It’s a little depressing, but what can I do?
- You take the good with the bad.
- To each his own.
- Her heart is in the right place.
- That’s what makes the world go round.
- It takes all kinds.
- I guess I got more out of it than I thought I had.
- All good things much come to an end.
- So much for that.
- I'm haunted by the fact that perhaps it didn't have to be this way, but it doesn't look like there's not much I can do about it at this point.
- It's a fait accompli.
Breaking up with someone
Out-neutral / Advice url
Flexible
- It’s best just to roll with it punches.
- Now let’s switch gears.
- Don’t get bogged down.
- That’s the way to learn how to do things like that.
- You’re as young as you feel.
- Pick up where you left off.
- Variety is the spice of life.
- When in Rome, do as the Roman’s do.
- Give it another shot.
- What have you got to lose?
- Let's play it by ear.
Flexible
In-positive / Determination url
Politician running for office
- Don’t give up the ship.
- Of all the things I’m doing, this is one of the most important.
- There’s more that one way to skin a cat.
- It’s a long shot.
- That would be something that I would likely do.
- Back up your ideas with courage that will not back down, and there will be no way too long, no road too rough.
- It’s a race against time.
- I shall return.
- I think we’re going to have to bite the bullet.
- That’s when the really hard part comes.
- I’m going to move heaven and earth trying.
Politician running for office
In-negative / Doubt url
Being told that a certain penny stock is a sure thing
- I have a nagging suspicion that this isn’t on the up and up.
- I don’t feel right about it.
- I just can’t buy that.
- You can’t fool me.
- I’ve heard that before.
- That’s wishful thinking.
- It’s a figment of your imagination.
- Whatever gave you that idea?
- I wouldn’t be too sure.
- It won’t hold water.
- I find that very hard to believe.
- What are you talking about?
- If I did that, it would be against my better judgement.
Being told that a certain penny stock is a sure thing
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
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-neutral / Acceptance url
Being offered a job
- Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse.
- It’s better late than never.
- I’ll buy that.
- All’s well that ends well.
- If the shoes fits wear it.
- That works out best all around.
Being offered a job
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who didn’t get the promotion he wanted
- You’ll be ok.
- If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
- You put up a good front.
- You’ve done all you can.
- It’s not the end of the line.
- You gave it your best shot.
- It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
- Don’t take it personally.
- I’m sure that thing’s will work out in the long run.
- Apparently it just wasn’t meant to be.
- The race doesn’t always go to the swift, but to those who keep on running.
- These things happen to the best of us.
- It happened through no fault of your own.
For a friend who didn’t get the promotion he wanted
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
In-negative / Desperation url
Losing a lot of money in the stock market
- They’ve got the deck stacked against us.
- I’ve been cut off at the knees.
- So much of the time I feel that I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
- I’m behind the eight ball.
- Boy, was that a mistake.
- Back to the salt mines.
- I feel like I’ve been raked over the coals.
- I’m running out of steam.
Losing a lot of money in the stock market