Few people, if any, can confidently say they have never told a lie. Lying is a universal behavior- whether a small fib or a major deception, we have all tried to wiggle out of a sticky situation with a half-truth or even a flat-out lie. Scoping out lies can be challenging, especially since many people have perfected the art of deceit.
Why do people lie? Psychology Today says we mainly lie to get out of trouble or avoid conflict. Sometimes, people lie to protect others or shield them from the consequences of their actions. Whatever the reason for lying, it’s a bad habit that can violate trust, lead to hurt feelings, and ultimately damage relationships.
It’s not easy to spot a lie. According to Very Well Mind, over-relying on the overused lying “indicators” makes it harder to detect a lie. Checking the more subtle signals can help you identify when someone isn’t being truthful.
No single clue guarantees it, but a combination of these behaviors can raise red flags and prompt further investigation. Here are 15 ways to tell if someone is lying.
1. Talking Too Much
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Liars often overcompensate by providing excessive details in their stories. They believe that by elaborating more, they can make their stories appear more credible. However, this tendency to talk too much can actually be a giveaway.
Pay attention to whether someone is flooding you with unnecessary information. They might be trying to fill the silence because they are uncomfortable or want to convince you of something untrue. When the story seems overly detailed and convoluted, it might be time to question its authenticity.
2. Too Much or Too Little Eye Contact
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Eye contact is a crucial aspect of communication. Liars might either avoid eye contact altogether due to guilt and fear of being caught or maintain excessive eye contact in an effort to appear sincere.
If you notice someone who usually has a sensible amount of eye contact suddenly shifting to either extreme, it could be a sign that they are not being entirely truthful. The key is to watch for changes in their usual behavior.
3. Too Much Repetition
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Repetition is another common technique liars use. They might repeat phrases or entire sentences to reinforce their fabricated stories and sound more convincing. This repetition can also be a way to buy time to think about what to say next.
Watch for repetitive language or statements. If someone keeps reiterating the same points without any new information, they might be trying to solidify their lie in your mind.
4. A Change in Their Normal Voice
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A person’s voice can change when they lie. They might speak in a higher pitch, or their voice might crack due to nervousness. Some people might also speak more quickly or slowly than usual when they are not telling the truth.
Significant changes in vocal patterns can strongly indicate lying. To detect anomalies, think about how their current speech compares with how they normally speak in similar situations.
5. Visual-Verbal Mismatch
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When someone lies, their words might not match their nonverbal cues. For example, they might nod while saying “no” or shake their head while saying “yes.” These mismatches can be a subconscious slip-up that reveals their true feelings.
Pay close attention to the alignment between what someone says and how they behave. Discrepancies between what someone says and their body language can point to lying.
6. Answering Questions with Questions
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A simple “Why did you take my chocolate?” may be answered with “Why would you think I’d steal your chocolate?” Liars often deflect questions by responding with another question. This tactic gives them extra time to think about their response and avoids giving a direct answer that could potentially expose their lie.
If someone frequently answers your questions with questions, it might suggest that they are uncomfortable with the topic and are trying to avoid providing a straightforward answer.
7. Storming Out
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When you bring up an issue, and the other party makes for the door, chances are high that there’s a lie in there somewhere. In some cases, liars might abruptly leave the conversation or situation when they feel cornered. Storming out can be a way to escape the pressure and avoid having to continue lying.
While there can be many reasons for someone to leave a discussion, if it follows a pattern of evasive or deceitful behavior, it might be a sign that the person is trying to avoid further scrutiny.
8. Fidgeting
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Amateur liars will not be confident in the story they’re trying to concoct. Nervousness can lead to increased fidgeting. When someone is lying, they might exhibit behaviors such as tapping their fingers, shaking their legs, or playing with objects nearby.
While fidgeting alone isn’t a definitive sign of lying, a noticeable increase in such behaviors during a critical conversation should raise suspicions.
9. Self-Grooming Behaviors
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Did someone immediately start preening when you asked a question? People often engage in self-grooming behaviors when they’re stressed or lying. These subtle actions can include adjusting their hair, straightening their clothes, or touching their face.
Frequent grooming gestures during a conversation might indicate that the person is uncomfortable or anxious about the topic, which could be a sign of dishonesty.
10. Vagueness
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Have you listened to the answer to your question, but you still can’t tell what they’re trying to say? Liars often keep their stories vague to avoid being caught in a lie. They may provide non-committal answers and avoid specifics that could be verified by outside sources.
If someone is consistently vague and avoids giving concrete details when discussing a particular topic, it might be a red flag that they are hiding something.
11. Blocking
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When someone lies, they might use physical barriers to “block” themselves from the person they’re lying to. They may cross their arms, place objects between themselves and the other person, or even turn their body slightly away.
Pay attention to any barriers the person creates during a conversation. These defensive actions might be an indication that they are feeling uneasy about the topic at hand.
12. Unnatural Stillness
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While nervousness can cause fidgeting, some individuals might react to lying by becoming unnaturally still. This “freeze” response is how they try to control their body language to avoid detection.
If someone who is normally animated suddenly becomes very still and controlled when discussing certain topics, it might be worth considering that they aren’t telling the whole truth.
13. Difficulty Speaking
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Lying can be stressful, and this pressure can sometimes cause the liar to experience difficulty speaking. Watch for signs like frequent gulping, throat clearing, or other speech disturbances.
If someone suddenly seems to have swallowed their tongue while addressing you, especially when it contrasts with their usual fluency, this might be a sign that they are trying to deceive you.
14. Too Much Smiling
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While smiling is an excellent way to show positivity, a forced or excessive smile can be a tactic used by liars. It helps them appear more trustworthy and mask their discomfort.
Be cautious of smiles that seem exaggerated or out of sync with the conversation’s context. You must develop a sixth sense to differentiate genuine displays of happiness from deceptive ones.
15. Unusual Sweating
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Since lying often induces stress, it can result in physiological changes such as sweating. This might be particularly noticeable on the forehead, under the armpits, or on the palms.
If you notice someone sweating more than usual, especially in a cool environment or when asked straightforward questions, it could indicate that they are nervous and potentially lying.