Some people really do think they’re incredibly slick and can pull the wool over anyone’s eyes.
However, the things they say tend to give them away as the liars they are. Whether it’s over-explaining or sounding just a bit too confident, these phrases can make it obvious that they have a loose relationship with the truth. No matter how good they think they are at dishonesty, they’re really not.
1. “Honestly…”
Source: Unsplash When someone starts a sentence with “Honestly,” there’s a good chance what follows isn’t entirely truthful. They believe adding this word makes them sound sincere, but it often has the opposite effect. If you’re already telling the truth, there’s no need to preface it with “honestly.” The more they insist on their honesty, the more suspicious it sounds.
2. “I swear to God.”
Trying to convince someone with “I swear to God” is a classic red flag. People who lie think that invoking a higher power makes them seem more credible. In reality, it often sounds desperate or forced. If someone is genuinely telling the truth, they don’t usually feel the need to swear on anything.
3. “Why would I lie?”
When someone asks, “Why would I lie?” it often means they’re scrambling to defend themselves. This deflects suspicion without actually addressing the issue. Instead of giving a straight answer, they’re trying to make you doubt your instincts. It’s a weak attempt to shift focus away from their potential dishonesty.
4. “To be perfectly honest with you…”
Adding “perfectly” to “honest” is supposed to sound reassuring, but it usually comes off as rehearsed. It can be a sign that they’re overcompensating for a lack of truthfulness. If someone feels the need to ramp up their honesty claim, it often suggests they’re hiding something. Simplicity tends to sound more genuine.
5. “I don’t remember saying that.”
This is a go-to for people caught in a lie. By claiming a foggy memory, they avoid admitting the truth while also avoiding a direct denial. It gives them an escape route without confessing. But too many “I don’t remember” claims quickly start to seem suspicious. It’s often a sign they’re backpedalling.
6. “Everyone knows that’s not true.”
Appealing to some imaginary consensus is a classic tactic of a bad liar. They think that by claiming “everyone” agrees, they’ll sound more convincing. The problem is, unless there’s actual proof, this phrase falls flat. If someone uses this to back up a story, it’s likely they’re bluffing.
7. “Trust me.”
If someone keeps saying “Trust me” while telling a story, it might mean they know their story doesn’t hold up. Genuine honesty doesn’t need repeated reassurances. Saying “Trust me” too often feels like they’re trying to convince *themselves*, not just you. Trust is earned through actions, not desperate pleas.
8. “I’m not lying, I promise.”
When someone says, “I’m not lying, I promise,” it’s often because they can sense your doubt. Instead of letting their story stand on its own, they feel the need to tack on a reassurance. It can make them sound nervous or unsure. The more they insist, the less believable they seem.
9. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
This is a common attempt to play dumb. Instead of offering an explanation, they pretend to be clueless. While it can seem convincing at first, repeated use makes it suspicious. It’s an avoidance tactic rather than a genuine response. People who really have no idea tend to ask questions, not shut down the conversation.
10. “You’re overthinking this.”
Bad liars often try to make *you* feel like the problem. By saying, “You’re overthinking this,” they hope to dismiss your suspicions. It’s a subtle way to gaslight you into questioning yourself. Instead of addressing the issue, they’re trying to undermine your confidence. Genuine honesty rarely needs this level of deflection.
11. “I wouldn’t lie to you.”
If someone feels the need to declare, “I wouldn’t lie to you,” it often means they’re doing exactly that. This tries to reassure you by focusing on their intentions rather than the facts. It’s a weak attempt to divert attention. People who are telling the truth usually show it through consistency, not declarations.
12. “That’s not what happened at all.”
When someone jumps straight to, “That’s not what happened at all,” they might be trying to shut down the conversation quickly. This defensive phrase often means that they’re panicking. Instead of calmly explaining their side, they go for an all-or-nothing denial. The urgency in their voice can give them away.
13. “I was just joking.”
Claiming, “I was just joking,” is a common way to backtrack when caught in a lie. They think this gives them a get-out-of-jail-free card. But if they use it too often, it just makes them seem untrustworthy. It’s a flimsy cover that rarely convinces anyone. A real joke doesn’t need a defensive explanation.
14. “You’re the only one who thinks that.”
This is an attempt to isolate your doubts and make you feel alone in your suspicions. By saying you’re the only one, they’re hoping you’ll question yourself. It’s a manipulative tactic to silence you. But in reality, if you sense something’s off, you’re probably not imagining it.
15. “I would never do that.”
Flat-out denials like “I would never do that” are often too absolute to be believable. This is meant to sound confident, but it can come off as defensive or desperate. Genuine denials tend to be more specific or thoughtful. Blanket statements like this feel more like a cover-up than an explanation.
16. “I’m telling you the truth, seriously.”
When someone keeps adding words like “seriously” to their story, it can be a sign they know it’s flimsy. They think piling on reassurances will make them sound more believable. Instead, it makes them seem anxious or uncertain. If they were truly confident in their truth, they wouldn’t need all the extras.
