When someone is lying right to your face, their bodies often tell a whole different story from their words.
They seem to be saying all the right things, and they might even sound very convincing, but the way they’re holding themselves or the little quirks in their body language tell you that not everything is quite as it seems. If you pick up on these non-verbal cues, you can pretty much guarantee that someone isn’t being honest with you.
1. They avoid eye contact.
While it’s not always the case, avoiding eye contact can be a red flag. When someone is being dishonest, they may struggle to look you in the eye, as it’s harder for them to maintain a connection when they’re fabricating a story. However, some liars might overcompensate and try to maintain too much eye contact, which can also be a sign of dishonesty.
2. They cover their mouth.
If someone suddenly covers their mouth with their hand, it could be an unconscious sign that they’re trying to hide the truth. It’s a subtle gesture that may signal they’re holding something back or hesitant to speak openly. Sometimes, people do this instinctively when they’re nervous or anxious about what they’re saying.
3. They fidget or show nervous movements.
Fidgeting, such as tapping fingers, adjusting clothing, or shifting their position, is often a sign of anxiety. When someone is lying, they may feel uncomfortable, and that nervous energy can manifest in restless body movements. It’s their body’s way of dealing with the stress of not being truthful.
4. They make unnecessary gestures.
Over-exaggerating hand movements or using more gestures than usual can sometimes indicate a person is trying to convince you of something that isn’t true. When someone is lying, they might use excessive hand gestures to emphasise their point or distract from the fact that they’re not being entirely honest.
5. They touch their nose or face frequently.
When people are being dishonest, they may unconsciously touch their nose, face, or throat. These gestures are thought to be a way of covering up discomfort or suppressing a lie. If someone keeps rubbing their nose or tugging at their ears during a conversation, it might be worth considering if they’re hiding something.
6. They lean away from you.
Leaning away from you during a conversation can signal discomfort or a desire to distance themselves. When someone is not being honest, they may subconsciously try to put physical space between themselves and the person they’re speaking to. It’s a sign they’re not fully engaged or that they’re feeling guilty about their words.
7. They freeze or become still.
Sudden stillness or a freeze in their body language can indicate that someone is lying or feeling threatened by the conversation. When people are lying, they may subconsciously become tense or freeze, either out of nervousness or to avoid giving away too much information.
8. Their story becomes overly detailed.
Sometimes, a person who is lying will add unnecessary details to their story in an attempt to make it seem more credible. They might go into excessive detail about unimportant elements to distract from the core of the lie or to make the story feel more convincing. Be cautious if someone’s explanation seems a little too rehearsed.
9. Their voice pitch changes.
When someone is lying, their voice may become higher in pitch or less steady. Stress and anxiety caused by telling a lie can affect the vocal cords, making their voice crack or pitch shift. If you notice someone’s voice becoming squeaky or trembling, it might be an indicator that they’re not being truthful.
10. They blink more than usual.
Increased blinking can be a subtle sign of stress or discomfort. When someone is lying, they may experience more anxiety, which can lead to increased eye movement or rapid blinking. If someone’s blink rate is noticeably higher than usual, it might suggest that they’re feeling nervous about what they’re saying.
11. They avoid direct questions.
If someone seems to avoid or deflect direct questions, they might be hiding something. Instead of giving a clear answer, they might change the subject, answer with a question, or give vague responses. It can be a tactic used to avoid having to directly address the issue at hand.
12. They speak in a more monotone voice.
Some liars might speak in a flat, monotone voice to suppress their emotions or avoid giving away too much through their vocal inflections. A lack of emotional variation in their tone can make it harder to detect lies because they’re trying to mask their true feelings through controlled speech.
13. They avoid using personal pronouns.
When someone avoids using personal pronouns like “I” or “me” in their speech, it can sometimes be a sign that they’re distancing themselves from the lie. They may say, “The situation was different,” instead of, “I was in that situation.” That subtle shift in language can be a sign they’re not fully owning the story.
14. They have inconsistent facial expressions.
Liars often have trouble synchronising their facial expressions with the emotions they’re trying to convey. If their expressions don’t match the emotion of the story they’re telling (e.g., smiling when talking about something sad), it’s a sign that they may be trying to fake their emotional response or suppress genuine feelings.
15. They use distancing language.
Using distancing language like “That wasn’t me,” “It wasn’t my fault,” or “I don’t know what happened” can signal dishonesty. When someone is lying, they may subconsciously distance themselves from the situation to make it seem less personal or to avoid taking responsibility.
16. They show signs of sweating or physical discomfort.
Physical signs of discomfort, such as sweating, flushing, or excessive swallowing, can indicate stress or anxiety caused by lying. When someone is trying to cover up the truth, their body may react in various ways that betray their emotional state, such as increased perspiration or throat-clearing.
