People lie for all sorts of reasons — to avoid trouble, to protect their ego, or sometimes just because they can.
While some lies are easy to spot, others are wrapped in casual words that seem harmless on the surface. However, if you pay attention, certain lines tend to pop up when someone isn’t telling the whole truth. If you’ve ever felt like something wasn’t adding up, these commonly used phrases might be a sign that honesty isn’t exactly in play. Whether or not you call them out on their lies is up to you…
1. “To be honest…”
It might sound like someone is reassuring you of their honesty, but if they feel the need to emphasise it, you have to wonder: what were they being before? Truthful people don’t feel the need to constantly remind you that they’re being honest. In many cases, this is a way to soften a statement or distract from something they don’t want you to question. It’s not always a lie, but it’s often a filler phrase to make something sound more believable.
2. “I would never lie to you!”
If someone feels the need to tell you outright that they would never lie, it might be because they already have. Trustworthy people don’t usually need to convince other people of their honesty; it’s something that’s proven over time. When this one comes up, it can be a way for someone to deflect suspicion rather than actually address your concerns. If you hear this too often, it might be time to start paying attention to their actions rather than their words.
3. “I swear on my life.”
This one is a classic. If someone is swearing on their life, their mother’s life, or anything else dramatic, it’s usually because they think the extra theatrics will make them sound more convincing. Honest people don’t need to swear on anything to be believed. They just tell the truth. Over-the-top assurances often mean someone is trying too hard to make you trust them.
4. “You have to believe me.”
Genuine honesty doesn’t require begging. If someone is repeatedly telling you to believe them rather than giving you actual reasons to do so, something’s off. Instead of offering clear details or evidence, they’re trying to shift the focus onto your trust. If they were telling the truth, they wouldn’t need to convince you — they’d just show you.
5. “I don’t remember saying that.”
When someone gets caught in a lie, this is one of the easiest ways to avoid admitting fault. Instead of owning up to what they said, they pretend they don’t remember saying it at all. Of course, memory lapses do happen, but if someone always seems to forget things that make them look bad, they’re probably being dishonest. Selective memory is a convenient excuse when someone doesn’t want to get caught.
6. “Why would I lie about that?”
People lie for all kinds of reasons, and throwing this question back at you is often a way to avoid answering properly. It’s meant to make you feel like you’re overthinking things. Instead of addressing the actual issue, they turn it into a question, making it seem like it’s ridiculous to even suspect them. In reality, if they were being honest, they’d just explain the situation rather than deflect.
7. “It’s not what it looks like.”
Whenever this one appears, it’s almost always because the situation is exactly what it looks like. This is the go-to line when someone has been caught doing something they shouldn’t be. Honest people explain things clearly rather than resorting to vague statements. If someone says this but can’t follow it up with a logical explanation, chances are they’re scrambling for a way out.
8. “I was just joking!”
Sometimes people say something they regret and immediately backtrack by claiming it was just a joke. It’s an easy way to test boundaries and gauge reactions before committing to their statement. While some jokes really are just jokes, if this is used too often — especially after something rude, offensive, or suspicious — it’s likely a way to avoid responsibility for what was actually said.
9. “I don’t have time to explain.”
If someone is being accused of something and refuses to explain themselves, saying they don’t have time is a convenient way to shut down the conversation without addressing the issue. Honest people don’t avoid explanations; they clarify things as soon as possible. If someone always seems too busy to clear up a misunderstanding, it’s worth asking why.
10. “You’re definitely overthinking this.”
When someone tells you you’re overthinking something, it’s often because they don’t want you thinking about it at all. It’s a subtle way to shut down any suspicions before they gain traction. This is especially common in manipulation tactics. It’s designed to make you doubt your own instincts rather than question their behaviour. If you feel like something is off, trust that feeling instead of letting someone talk you out of it.
11. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”
If someone is telling you what they wouldn’t do rather than what they actually did, that’s a red flag. It’s an attempt to make you feel reassured without actually giving you an answer. Instead of saying, “Here’s what happened,” they go for, “I would never.” That’s not the same as an explanation—it’s just a way to dodge responsibility.
12. “You’re the only one who thinks this.”
Making someone feel isolated in their concerns is a classic way to shut down questions. If they can convince you that no one else thinks the same way, they make you doubt yourself. Honest people address concerns directly. If someone is trying to make you feel like you’re imagining things instead of answering your questions, that’s a bad sign.
13. “I’m just a really private person.”
There’s nothing wrong with valuing privacy, but if someone constantly uses this excuse to avoid answering basic questions, it’s worth questioning why. People who are hiding things often mask it as a personality trait. If you’re asking about something reasonable, and they refuse to answer, consider whether it’s really about privacy or if they just don’t want to get caught.
14. “That’s not what I meant.”
When someone gets caught saying something questionable, this is an easy way to take it back without actually admitting they were wrong. Instead of explaining what they actually meant, they just insist it was misunderstood. If this happens often, it might mean they’re testing boundaries or trying to push an idea without fully committing to it. An honest person will clarify their words, not just dismiss them.
15. “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
Source: Unsplash Downplaying something instead of addressing it directly is a way of avoiding responsibility. If someone is being confronted about a lie and their response is to act like it’s not important, it’s because they don’t want you to focus on it. Even small lies can destroy trust. If something matters to you, it matters, regardless of whether they think it should.
16. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Source: Unsplash This is one of the simplest and most frustrating ways to dodge accountability. When someone completely denies something rather than engaging in the conversation, it’s often a way to avoid getting caught. Of course, sometimes people genuinely don’t know what you’re talking about. But if they use this in response to something specific and important, they may just be playing dumb to get out of trouble.
