positive

accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative

Focus on the positive rather than the negative. If you're feeling down, try to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. Focus on the good things in your life! It can be very hard to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative when you're in a bout of depression. My wife left me. How can I "accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative" in a situation like this, huh?

body positive

Having or intended to have the effect of encouraging a positive view of one's body that focuses on overall well-being and self-worth, as opposed to being self-critical or adhering to unhealthy trends or societal views of beauty. I try to be body positive, but it's hard when the media constantly bombards us with unrealistic images of female beauty. It's nice to see some body-positive advertising for once. Being body positive is a radical act when you consider how much the beauty and diet industries try to make us feel insecure so we'll buy their products.
See also: body, positive

eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive

Focus on the positive rather than the negative. If you're feeling down, try to eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive. Focus on the good things in your life! It can be very hard to eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive when you're in a bout of depression. My wife left me. How can I "eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive" in a situation like this, huh?

end on a positive note

To conclude (something) at some desirable or successful point or with some pleasant piece of news. A noun or pronoun can be used between "end" and "on." I know we've had quite a few disappointments, but let's win this last game and end the season on a positive note! The CEO's speech at the Annual General Meeting ended on quite a positive note when he announced that there would be a company-wide bonus at the end of the year. No, I didn't win the prestigious award, but just being nominated allowed me to end my academic career on a positive note.
See also: end, note, on, positive

finish on a positive note

To conclude (something) at some desirable or successful point or with some pleasant piece of news. I know we've had quite a few disappointments, but let's win this last game and finish the season on a positive note! The CEO's speech at the Annual General Meeting finished on quite a positive note when he announced that there would be a company-wide bonus at the end of the year. A: "You were disappointed at the concert?" B: "Yeah. I hoped they would at least finish on a positive note and play my favorite song, but they didn't."
See also: finish, note, on, positive

Positive Polly

One who is very (usually excessively) upbeat, encouraging, and optimistic. A: "Come on, we can do this! We just have to work together!" B: "Geez, Positive Polly, all right." I need spend more time with Maria—she's such a Positive Polly that I always leave feeling better about myself.
See also: Polly, positive

proof positive

Proof that definitively confirms something; undeniable proof (of something). This document—signed by the defendant—is proof positive that he authorized the transfer of funds. If you're looking for proof positive, you're not going to find it. Some things just don't have a definite answer.
See also: positive, proof

think positive

To be optimistic, especially about a particular situation. Oh, think positive—there's no reason to believe you won't get the job.
See also: positive, think
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

(I've) seen better.

a noncommittal and not very positive judgment about something or someone. Alice: How did you like the movie? John: I've seen better. Bill: What do you think about this weather? Bob: Seen better.
See also: better, seen
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

think positive

Be optimistic, concentrate on the good rather than the bad, as in It's true you were fired but think positive-now you can look for a job you really like . This expression comes from the psychological doctrine of positive thinking, which gained currency with Norman Vincent Peale's popular book, The Power of Positive Thinking (1953). [Second half of 1900s]
See also: positive, think
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

proof ˈpositive

definite or convincing proof: It’s proof positive of her belief in the company that she’s investing her own money in it.
See also: positive, proof

think ˈpositive

think in a confident way about what you can do: If you don’t think positive, you won’t win. ▶ ˌpositive ˈthinking noun: He believes in the power of positive thinking.
See also: positive, think
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

think positive

Concentrate on the bright side, on what is constructive and good; ignore the negative aspect. This exhortation comes from Norman Vincent Peale’s inspirational best-seller, The Power of Positive Thinking (1953). Although the idea had been developed by numerous psychologists of the early twentieth century, the term itself became current after the publication of Dr. Peale’s book.
See also: positive, think
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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