It’s natural to want to believe that people are being honest with you, but that’s not always true.
Whether they don’t want to hurt your feelings or they’re trying to get one over on you, people lie — and many of them are extremely convincing about it! So, how do you know when someone is spouting complete nonsense? Here are some ways their body language will inevitably give them away.
1. They avoid eye contact.
Source: Unsplash One of the most obvious signs is when someone can’t look you in the eye. If they’re lying, they might shift their gaze or look down to avoid giving themselves away. It’s as if they’re trying to hide the truth in plain sight. Watch for them to avoid your gaze more than they usually would in a normal conversation.
2. Their eyes dart around.
On the other hand, some people overcompensate by looking everywhere except at you. Quick, nervous glances can be a sign they’re uncomfortable or worried about being caught in a lie. It’s almost like their eyes are looking for an escape route from the situation.
3. They blink more than usual.
When someone is lying, their stress levels go up. One small sign of this stress is blinking more than normal. It’s a subtle thing, but it can be a sign that they’re not being completely honest. Blinking excessively often means they’re feeling the pressure of trying to cover up the truth.
4. They fidget a lot.
Fidgeting is often a sign of nervousness. Whether it’s tapping their foot, playing with their hair, or fiddling with something in their hands, fidgeting can be a way to release the anxiety they feel from not telling the truth. If someone who’s usually calm suddenly starts fidgeting, it’s a good sign something’s up.
5. They touch their face.
Source: Unsplash People tend to touch their face more when they’re lying. They might rub their nose, scratch their ear, or cover their mouth while speaking. This could be a subconscious way of trying to cover up the lie. These little touches are usually hard to control and often happen without them realising.
6. Their smile seems forced.
Source: Unsplash A genuine smile involves the whole face, especially the eyes. If someone is forcing a smile, you’ll notice that their eyes aren’t really involved, and the smile might look stiff or unnatural. If it looks like they’re just smiling out of habit, it might be worth paying attention to what they’re saying.
7. They speak too quickly.
If someone is lying, they might speed up their speech to get through the lie quickly. It’s a way to avoid giving you too much time to catch them in the act. The words can come out rushed and less thought-out. This rushed speech can be a clue that they’re not feeling comfortable with what they’re saying.
8. Their tone of voice changes.
When people lie, their voice can become higher or more tense. They might also speak more softly than usual as if they’re trying to downplay what they’re saying. Pay attention to any changes in how they normally speak. Even a slight shift in tone can signal something isn’t quite right.
9. They pause too much.
Long pauses can mean someone is thinking too hard about what to say next. They’re trying to make the lie believable, but the extra effort can result in awkward silences that don’t feel natural. If you notice unusual gaps in their speech, it could be a sign that they’re making things up as they go.
10. They shift their body away from you.
Source: Unsplash People tend to move their bodies slightly away when they’re uncomfortable or trying to hide something. If someone suddenly shifts their posture away from you while speaking, it could be a sign they’re not being truthful. This can include leaning back, crossing arms, or turning slightly away from you.
11. They repeat your questions before answering.
Source: Unsplash When someone is trying to buy time to think of a lie, they might repeat the question you just asked. It gives them a moment to gather their thoughts and come up with a convincing response. If someone is doing this a lot, it might be a sign they’re struggling to come up with something believable.
12. Their gestures don’t match their words.
Source: Unsplash If someone’s body language doesn’t match what they’re saying, that’s a red flag. For example, they might shake their head “no” while saying “yes.” This disconnect can signal that they’re struggling to keep their story straight. Watch for any small mismatches between what they’re saying and how they’re moving.
13. They become defensive.
Source: Unsplash Liars often get defensive when questioned. They might lash out, over-explain, or try to turn the conversation around on you. This defensive reaction is a way to avoid being caught in the lie. Instead of calmly responding, they might act as though you’re the one at fault.
14. They provide too much information.
Source: Unsplash Sometimes, liars will give more details than necessary to make their story seem more believable. The extra information is meant to distract you from the lie, but it often comes off as over the top. Too many details can end up drawing more attention to their lie than they realise.
15. Their breathing changes.
Source: Unsplash When someone is lying, they may start breathing more heavily. Lying creates stress, and that stress can lead to quick, shallow breaths. If you notice this change in breathing, it could be a sign they’re not being honest. Pay attention if their breathing suddenly speeds up or they seem out of breath for no reason.
16. They break their usual habits.
If someone’s behaviour suddenly changes during a conversation, it might be worth paying attention. A normally calm person becoming fidgety or a chatty person suddenly getting quiet can be a sign that something isn’t right. These changes can reveal that they’re feeling uncomfortable or guilty about something.
