I know this is slightly different, but if I wanted to break off with a guy after a few dates but without hurting him too bad I used to say I was getting back with my 'ex' (everyone knows you can't compete with an ex
) . Then one time, a guy used the same line on me - I was upset of course that he wanted to break off but couldn't help smiling as I heard my own words coming back to me. I appreciated the intention behind them.