26+ Best Responses When You Don’t Know What to Say (100+ Examples)

A lot of times we feel stuck when someone says something out of the blue. You might freeze up or worry about saying the wrong thing. I promise to help you find the right words for any moment. Keep these ideas close to your heart. You will feel much more confident next time you are in a tight spot.

Friendly Responses to When You Don’t Know What to Say

That is Really Interesting

Hearing something new can be hard to process at first. Use this phrase when you need a moment to think. It shows the other person you are listening closely. This response keeps the flow of the talk going without any pressure on you. It works well with friends or people you just met. It keeps the energy very positive and kind.

• That is really interesting to hear today.
• Wow that is a really interesting point.
• I think that is a really interesting thought.
• You shared a really interesting story there.

Tell Me More About That

Curiosity is a great way to handle silence. Ask this when you want the other person to keep talking. It shifts the focus away from your own lack of words. Use this during a lunch or a casual chat. It makes the other person feel heard. Most people love to share their own ideas and stories with a good listener.

• Can you tell me more about that part?
• I would love if you tell me more about that.
• Please tell me more about that event soon.
• Would you tell me more about that plan?

I Am Not Sure What to Say

Honesty is often the best path in any conversation. Say this if you are feeling overwhelmed or confused. It is a genuine way to admit you need a second. People usually appreciate the truth over a fake reaction. It brings a level of sincerity to the talk. Use this with close friends when things get heavy or very deep.

• I am not sure what to say right now.
• Honestly I am not sure what to say.
• Gosh I am not sure what to say today.
• I am not sure what to say about that.

Wow That is a Lot to Take In

Big news can leave you feeling empty of words. Acknowledge the weight of the moment with this simple phrase. It gives you space to breathe and gather your thoughts. Use this when someone shares something intense or life changing. It validates their feelings while giving you a buffer. It shows you care about the news they just shared with you.

• Wow that is a lot to take in today.
• Man that is a lot to take in friends.
• Surely that is a lot to take in now.
• Yes that is a lot to take in clearly.

How Did You Come to That Idea

Questions are perfect when you feel stuck or blank. This asks the other person to explain their logic. It buys you time while making you look engaged. Use this when someone states an opinion or makes a big choice. It keeps the talk moving in a light way. You will find that people enjoy explaining how they think about things.

• How did you come to that idea friend?
• Tell me how did you come to that idea.
• I wonder how did you come to that idea.
• Please explain how did you come to that idea.

That is a Very Unique Perspective

Validation helps when you are not sure if you agree. Use this when you hear a strong opinion you cannot match. It is polite without being fake. This keeps the peace during a debate or a heated talk. People enjoy knowing their view was heard even if you do not have a comeback. It keeps the mood calm and very steady.

• That is a very unique perspective on life.
• I think that is a very unique perspective today.
• Truly that is a very unique perspective indeed.
• Honestly that is a very unique perspective friend.

I Need a Moment to Think

Sometimes the best response is asking for time. Use this when you do not want to rush your answer. It shows you value the topic and want to be thoughtful. This works well in meetings or serious talks. It stops you from saying something you might regret later. Take a deep breath and give yourself the time you need.

• I need a moment to think about this.
• Let me take a moment to think here.
• Can I take a moment to think please?
• I really need a moment to think now.

That is a Good Question

Buying time is a pro move in any conversation. Use this when someone asks you something that requires deep thought. It gives you a few seconds to organize your brain. This works in interviews or even with family. It makes you appear confident and ready. You will avoid panic by using this simple bridge to your next best thought.

• That is a good question for me today.
• I agree that is a good question friend.
• Wow that is a good question to ask.
• Truly that is a good question to consider.

Can We Talk About This Later

Boundaries are healthy when you are caught off guard. Use this when you are not ready to dive into a topic. It is firm but polite enough to keep things cool. This works at work or with pushy people. You control the timing of your response. It gives you the space to process things before you have to talk more.

• Can we talk about this later today please?
• I wonder if we can talk about this later.
• Let us try and talk about this later.
• Please can we talk about this later tonight?

Professional Responses to When You Don’t Know What to Say

Let Me Look Into That

Accuracy is vital in a professional setting at work. Use this when you do not know the answer to a question. It shows you care about getting things right. This prevents you from guessing or making mistakes. People will respect your need to check the facts. It makes you look reliable and very smart in front of your boss.

• Let me look into that for you today.
• I will let me look into that soon.
• Please let me look into that right now.
• Can I let me look into that later?

That is a Fair Point

Agreeing with someone helps when you are stuck. Use this to acknowledge a valid argument from a coworker. It keeps the mood collaborative instead of defensive. This phrase is a great way to pause and reflect. It shows you are listening to their logic. You do not have to commit to a full plan yet with this simple reply.

• That is a fair point to make today.
• I think that is a fair point really.
• Surely that is a fair point to discuss.
• Yes that is a fair point for sure.

I Would Like to Get More Details

Clarity is key when you feel a bit confused. Use this to prompt someone to explain their needs further. It moves the talk forward without requiring you to speak much. This buys you time to understand the big picture. It shows you are serious about the work. You get to listen while they fill in all the missing pieces.

• I would like to get more details soon.
• Please I would like to get more details.
• I really would like to get more details.
• Can I would like to get more details?

What Are Your Thoughts on This

Redirecting the talk back to the source is smart. Use this when you feel out of your depth. It shows you value the input of the other person. This keeps the focus on them. It is a great way to handle questions you cannot answer alone. People like to talk about their own ideas and projects during a meeting.

• What are your thoughts on this whole plan?
• Tell me what are your thoughts on this.
• I wonder what are your thoughts on this?
• Please say what are your thoughts on this.

Let Us Schedule a Time to Discuss

Stopping a conversation that is going nowhere is wise. Use this when you are not prepared for a deep chat. It keeps things professional and organized. You avoid the pressure of an immediate answer. This gives you time to prepare your notes. It also shows you are busy and value the time of the other person in the office.

• Let us schedule a time to discuss soon.
• Can we let us schedule a time to discuss?
• I think let us schedule a time to discuss.
• Why not let us schedule a time to discuss?

I Appreciate the Input

Gratitude is a safe bet in any workplace talk. Use this when someone gives you advice or feedback. It shuts down the need for a long reply. You show that you are open to suggestions. This keeps the relationship positive and friendly. It is an easy way to end a conversation that you are not sure how to handle.

• I appreciate the input you gave me today.
• Truly I appreciate the input you shared.
• Really I appreciate the input on this work.
• I appreciate the input from the whole team.

That is an Interesting Way to Look at It

Neutrality is your best friend in a tense meeting. Use this when someone says something you do not quite get. It is a polite way to stay out of a disagreement. You remain professional and calm. This phrase allows you to keep your own opinion to yourself for now. It is a very safe response for any work situation today.

• That is an interesting way to look at it.
• Yes that is an interesting way to look.
• I find that is an interesting way today.
• Surely that is an interesting way to look.

Genuine Responses to When You Don’t Know What to Say

I Honestly Do Not Know

Admitting you are clueless can be very freeing. Use this when someone asks you a question you cannot answer. It builds trust because you are not pretending to be perfect. This works with close friends and family members. It removes the stress of having to be right all the time. People will value your honesty and your realness.

• I honestly do not know the answer here.
• Gosh I honestly do not know for sure.
• Well I honestly do not know the way.
• Really I honestly do not know this fact.

That is a Difficult One

Acknowledging the complexity of a situation is very helpful. Use this when someone asks a hard or emotional question. It shows you are not brushing them off. You are validating that the topic is heavy. This gives you space to pause and think. It connects you to the other person through shared understanding of the hard truth.

• That is a difficult one to answer today.
• I know that is a difficult one friend.
• Wow that is a difficult one to solve.
• Truly that is a difficult one for us.

I Am Still Processing This

Giving yourself permission to be slow is great. Use this when you hear news that shocks you. It protects you from having to give an instant reaction. You show you are being thoughtful. This works well during serious life events. It lets the other person know you need a moment before you can offer any real words back.

• I am still processing this news right now.
• Wait I am still processing this stuff.
• Honestly I am still processing this event.
• I think I am still processing this.

Can We Just Sit with This

Silence can be a very powerful tool sometimes. Use this when you are with a friend in a hard time. You do not always need to fill the air with talk. Just being there is enough. This phrase tells them that you are ready to be a support system. It takes the pressure off both of you to speak.

• Can we just sit with this for now?
• Should we just sit with this together?
• I want to just sit with this.
• Let us just sit with this a while.

I Feel for You

Empathy is the core of any good conversation. Use this when someone is going through a rough patch. It shows you are on their side. You do not need a long speech. These four words carry a lot of love and support. It is a simple way to show you are present and truly care about them.

• I feel for you in this hard time.
• Really I feel for you my dear friend.
• I know I feel for you right now.
• Please know I feel for you always today.

Thank You for Sharing That with Me

Respect is shown by acknowledging their vulnerability. Use this when someone opens up to you about something personal. It tells them you value their trust. You do not need to give advice or have a perfect reply. Just say thank you for the honor of their story. It keeps the bond strong between you and the other person.

• Thank you for sharing that with me today.
• I say thank you for sharing that now.
• Really thank you for sharing that with me.
• Please thank you for sharing that with us.

I Am Not the Best Person to Ask

Delegating is okay when you lack the right knowledge. Use this when someone wants your opinion on a topic you do not know. It prevents you from giving bad advice. You show that you are self aware. This honesty helps the other person find someone else who can actually help them get the right answers they need.

• I am not the best person to ask.
• Sorry I am not the best person here.
• Honestly I am not the best person today.
• Truly I am not the best person though.

That is So Much to Handle

Validating someone’s struggle is a kind gesture. Use this when someone feels like their life is spinning. It shows you hear their pain. You don’t have to fix their problems. Just acknowledging that their plate is full can be enough. It makes them feel less alone in their struggle. You are being a very good and supportive listener today.

• That is so much to handle right now.
• Man that is so much to handle today.
• Surely that is so much to handle here.
• Yes that is so much to handle friend.

I Really Value Your Trust in Me

Confirming the bond is a sweet way to respond. Use this when someone tells you a secret or a deep fear. It tells them they are safe with you. You don’t need a clever comeback. Just focus on the connection you have. This makes the other person feel calm and very appreciated in your quiet company right now.

• I really value your trust in me always.
• Honestly I really value your trust in me.
• Surely I really value your trust in me.
• Truly I really value your trust in me.

Let Me Think About That

Patience is a virtue in every single talk. Use this when you want to be careful with your words. It shows you respect the topic enough to not rush. You can come back later with a better answer. This avoids quick fixes or hasty talk. It makes you look like someone who is thoughtful and very deliberate.

• Let me think about that for a while.
• Can I let me think about that please?
• I will let me think about that soon.
• Why not let me think about that today?

Clever Responses to When You Don’t Know What to Say

That is One Way to Look at It

Subtlety is a skill when you disagree. Use this when you do not share an opinion. It is polite but keeps a distance. You do not have to fight about it. This keeps the energy light and avoids a long debate. You stay in control of your own view without being rude or too loud about it.

• That is one way to look at it.
• Yes that is one way to look at.
• I find that is one way to look.
• Surely that is one way to look today.

I Am Taking Notes on That

Humor can lighten the mood when you are stuck. Use this when someone says something very bold or strange. It sounds like you are being smart. It is a fun way to deflect the need for a deep talk. Use this with friends who like to joke around. It keeps the vibe very fun and relaxed at all times.

• I am taking notes on that for sure.
• Wow I am taking notes on that now.
• Truly I am taking notes on that today.
• Yes I am taking notes on that plan.

You Always Keep Me on My Toes

Complimenting the other person is a great distraction. Use this when someone throws a curveball at you. It turns the focus to their personality. They will likely smile at the praise. This clears the air and lets you reset. It is a very smooth way to manage a moment where you feel a bit blank or lost.

• You always keep me on my toes friend.
• Honestly you always keep me on my toes.
• Really you always keep me on my toes.
• Yes you always keep me on my toes.

That is a Good One

Keeping it brief is sometimes the best strategy. Use this when someone makes a joke you do not quite get. It acts as a polite laugh. It shows you are not taking things too seriously. This works in crowds or at parties. You keep the talk moving without having to explain your own lack of understanding here.

• That is a good one to hear today.
• I say that is a good one now.
• Really that is a good one for sure.
• Wow that is a good one to tell.

I Will Have to Get Back to You

Avoiding a trap is smart in business and life. Use this when someone pressures you for a decision. It gives you the space to think. You do not have to commit to anything right now. This is a very professional way to say you are busy. It stops people from forcing you into a corner with questions.

• I will have to get back to you.
• Maybe I will have to get back soon.
• Truly I will have to get back today.
• Really I will have to get back later.

That is Quite a Mystery

Adding a bit of mystery is fun. Use this when someone tells you something you do not know. It turns the talk into an interesting puzzle. You are not forced to have the answer. You are just sharing the wonder of the moment. This keeps the talk light and easy for everyone involved in the group today.

• That is quite a mystery to me now.
• I think that is quite a mystery here.
• Surely that is quite a mystery to see.
• Yes that is quite a mystery today friend.

Summary of Responses

Final Thoughts

I hope these simple phrases help you feel ready for any chat. You do not need to be perfect when you speak. Just stay honest and stay kind. Practice these lines whenever you feel blank. Soon you will find the right words will come to you with a lot of ease.