If someone uses these 7 phrases, they’re probably lying to you

Are you a good liar or do you struggle with even the smallest of fibs?

The reality is that some people can tell the biggest whoppers straight to your face and seem incredibly convincing.

But there are some giveaways. Not only in the delivery but also in the way they word things.

Be on the lookout for the following phrases, as they often point to some serious BS.

1) “No, I did not”

This one is super sneaky as it’s very subtle.

The problem is not the denial itself, it’s the way the sentence has been structured.

When was the last time you quite naturally said “did not” instead of “didn’t”?

Did you have time to pick up the dry cleaning? No, I didn’t, I was rushed off my feet.

Now think about how weird it would sound to hear the reply: No, I did not, I was rushed off my feet.

That’s because we tend to unconsciously use these sorts of contractions in everyday fluid conversation.

They come naturally to us without thinking about it. So when someone drops them it can sound clunky.

It gives their sentence a forced and insincere feel. It’s because they are putting more thought into emphasizing their lie.

But according to experts, it’s this exaggeration that gives the game away. They’re trying too hard to protest their innocence.

2) “I don’t know what you’re talking about”

We may all innocently throw out an expression like this every now and then.

In low-key situations, it can be a sincere expression that they’ve missed your point.

But when you confront someone with an accusation and they say they don’t know what you’re talking about, it raises suspicion.

Playing dumb is one thing, but this is the next level of playing dumb.

Denying all knowledge of something to the extent that your words make no sense to them seems overkill.

It becomes an avoidance tactic for the whole topic or any questions you may throw their way.

Rather than come up with something on the spot, it can feel like this lets them off having to rack their brain for a plausible explanation that you are going to buy.

3) “I can’t remember”

Much like the sentence above, it’s understandable that we may forget some small details in life.

If you’re asking someone about something that was years ago and fairly inconsequential at the time, there is a good chance they may have forgotten.

But if you’re talking about a very recent event, and certainly a significant one then “I can’t remember” doesn’t cut it.

It’s more likely to be a technique to try to avoid getting caught out in a lie.

Because the more specific details we give, the deeper we weave a web of deceit that we then have to then remember and retrace.

And the truth is a lot easier to recall because it actually happened. Lies are much harder to keep track of.

4) “How could you think that of me”

This is a good old twist around.

That sort of tactic is a favorite of narcissists. Because it cleverly tries to shift focus away from them and back onto you.

The story then is no longer about what exactly they have or have not done.

It’s the resentment they feel about your lack of faith and trust in them.

This technique can be used as almost a threat to stop prying questions.

For example, a partner may say:

“Well, if that’s how little you think of me, maybe we shouldn’t be together in the first place.”

They try to act like the victim whilst simultaneously suggesting that if you push them too far, you’ll be sorry for it.

5) “Did I cheat on you last night?”

The specific question here can change, it’s more the style that points to the lie. And that is repeating back whatever you have just asked them.

Think about it:

Someone comes to you and asks you something out of the blue. Sure, it may come as a shock, but if it’s the truth you already have access to the answer.

So you can quickly set them straight.

But if someone comes to you to confront you about something you’ve done, that you’d rather not fess up to — your response isn’t quite so simple.

You need to find a delay tactic to buy yourself some time to think and work out how best to reply.

And repeating back the initial question, albeit in an indignant way, does just that.

6) “Prove it!”

They’re not even technically denying it.

It’s almost like they are leaning back on the legal defense that the burden of proof lies not on them the accused to show they didn’t do it, but for you to show they did.

It also hints at the tantalizing fact this proof does exist somewhere out there. But you have failed to bring it to the table.

Until you do, they’re not going to fess up to anything.

7) “I was pretty drunk at the time”

If ever you are trying to get the truth out of someone and they tell you that they were “super wasted” they are trying to get their excuses in early.

It’s a way of side-stepping responsibility.

When people offer up these sorts of explanations rather than the plain and simple truth, it’s always to get out of giving the finer details.

Whilst some people do genuinely get blackout drunk, it’s fairly rare to not remember what has happened.

So if they pull out this old chestnut, there’s probably something they would rather not tell you about.

Other ways to spot a liar

Whilst certain phrases just come across as more fishy and may raise your suspicions, it isn’t always enough to catch out a lie.

That’s why it’s important to check for other signs that may accompany it.

Things like:

• Overexplaining, saying too much, and volunteering unnecessary details
• Underexplaining, keeping schtum, and only giving you the bare bones of a story
• An unusually high-pitched tone to their voice
• Body cues like fidgeting, scratching, or pressing their lips together and then looking away
• Strange eye contact like holding your gaze for too long in an attempt to be more convincing, which is something research has shown liars tend to do more