What did they actually mean?
Paste a message you received. We'll tell you what it probably means, what they want, and what to do next.
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Common phrases, decoded
What people actually mean when they write these.
“Per my last email”Decode the real meaning behind 'per my last email' — when it's passive-aggressive, when it's not, and how to respond depending on who sent it.“Let's circle back”What someone really means when they say 'let's circle back' — whether it's a genuine delay, a soft no, or a way to avoid committing right now.“Let's park this for now”Decode 'let's park this for now' — is your idea being shelved permanently or genuinely saved for later? How to tell and what to do.“No rush”When someone says 'no rush,' do they mean it? How to read the real urgency behind this common phrase depending on who sent it.“Thanks for sending this over, I'll take a look”Decode 'thanks for sending this over, I'll take a look' — is it a real commitment to review, or a polite way to close the conversation?“Happy to jump on a call”When someone offers to 'jump on a call,' what are they really saying? Sometimes it's helpfulness. Sometimes it's a signal that email isn't working.“I'll check with accounts”Decode 'I'll check with accounts' (or finance, or legal) — is it a real blocker or a stalling tactic? How to tell and how to respond.“Noted”What 'noted' really means in an email — from cold acknowledgement to genuine receipt, and why the sender's culture matters more than you think.“As previously discussed”Is 'as previously discussed' a professional reference or a passive-aggressive reminder? How to decode it based on context and sender.“Friendly reminder”Decode 'friendly reminder' — the phrase that's almost never as friendly as it sounds. What it signals and how to respond.“We'll keep your resume on file”The real meaning behind 'we'll keep your resume on file' — is there any hope, or is this a definitive rejection? What to do next.“Can you send a quick revised quote”When a client asks for a 'quick revised quote,' are they negotiating, comparison shopping, or genuinely adjusting scope? How to read it.“Just following up”Decode 'just following up' — the most common professional nudge. What it signals about urgency, patience, and your response time.“Let me know your thoughts”When someone says 'let me know your thoughts,' do they want honest feedback or just approval? How to read this common sign-off.“We're going in a different direction”The real meaning behind 'we're going in a different direction' — a definitive no, framed as gently as possible. What it means for you.“I'll get back to you”Decode 'I'll get back to you' — when it means they will, when it means they won't, and how to tell the difference.“Adding X to this thread”When someone adds a new person to an email thread, what are they signalling? Escalation, delegation, or just keeping people informed?“Sorry for the delay”Decode 'sorry for the delay' — a phrase that ranges from genuine remorse to habitual politeness. What it tells you about the sender's priorities.“Are you available for a quick chat”When someone asks if you're available for 'a quick chat,' should you worry? What the phrase signals depending on who's asking.“Thanks in advance”Decode 'thanks in advance' — a phrase that sounds polite but subtly assumes you'll say yes. What it signals and how to respond.
Writing guides by relationship
Practical advice for writing to the people in your professional and personal life.
How to write to clientsA practical guide to writing emails, messages, and proposals to clients — tone, boundaries, and how to sound confident without sounding pushy.How to write to your managerA guide to writing to your manager — when to be brief, when to be detailed, how to push back respectfully, and how to manage up through your messages.How to write to colleaguesA guide to writing to colleagues — navigating peer dynamics, getting things done without authority, and building trust through your messages.How to write to recruitersA guide to writing to recruiters — how to respond to outreach, follow up without being annoying, and decode what they're really telling you.How to write to vendorsA guide to writing to vendors and service providers — how to request quotes, give feedback, negotiate, and maintain productive working relationships.How to write to friendsA guide to writing to friends — why casual doesn't mean careless, how to navigate tricky conversations, and when text isn't the right medium.