Some people can’t (or won’t) admit they’re wrong to save their lives.
Whether it’s their pride, stubbornness, or a complete lack of self-awareness, they have a set of go-to phrases that help them dodge accountability (at least in their own minds). If you hear these lines often, you’re probably dealing with someone who refuses to accept they’ve made a mistake. It’s really obnoxious to be around, as you probably already know.
1. “Look, I was just joking.”
Ah, the classic backtrack. When they realise they’ve crossed a line or been caught out, suddenly it was all a joke. It’s their way of pretending they didn’t mess up and shifting the blame onto you for not having a sense of humour. Convenient, isn’t it?
2. “You’re really overreacting about this.”
This one’s a personal favourite for those who refuse to admit they’ve hurt someone. By telling you you’re overreacting, they’re trying to downplay their mistake and make you feel like the problem. It’s a quick way to deflect blame without addressing the real issue.
3. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
This non-apology puts the focus on your feelings rather than their actions. Instead of owning up to what they did, they frame it as your problem. It’s a sneaky way to say “sorry” without admitting they did anything wrong.
4. “Let’s just move on, can we?”
Translation: “Let’s forget I messed up.” They’re not interested in resolving the issue; they just want it to disappear so they don’t have to admit fault. It’s a way to sweep things under the rug and pretend everything’s fine without dealing with their mistake.
5. “That’s not what I meant at all.”
Even when their words or actions were crystal clear, they’ll claim their intentions were misunderstood. Instead of acknowledging that they said or did something wrong, they blame the misunderstanding on you. It’s easier than owning up to a mistake.
6. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Sometimes, they skip the subtlety and go straight for denial. No matter how obvious the mistake, they’ll flat-out refuse to acknowledge it. It’s like they think if they say it enough times, it’ll become true.
7. “Why are you bringing up the past?”
When you point out their mistake, they act like you’re dragging up ancient history, even if it happened ten minutes ago. This deflection tactic is their way of avoiding responsibility and making you feel unreasonable for mentioning it.
8. “Everyone makes mistakes.”
Sure, everyone does make mistakes — but not everyone refuses to admit them. This phrase is their attempt to downplay their wrongdoing by making it sound universal. It’s a way to brush off the issue without actually addressing it.
9. “You’re just trying to make me look bad.”
Instead of considering that they might be wrong, they accuse you of having an agenda. By saying this, they frame themselves as the victim and you as the aggressor. It’s a deflection that conveniently ignores their own actions.
10. “Let’s agree to disagree.”
This phrase is fine in a friendly debate, but when used to avoid admitting fault, it’s a cop-out. It suggests that their mistake is just a difference of opinion. It’s their way of closing the conversation without addressing the problem.
11. “That’s not what happened.”
They’re not above rewriting history to avoid being wrong. Even when you clearly remember what happened, they’ll insist your version is incorrect. It’s gaslighting with a cherry on top, designed to make you doubt your own memory.
12. “I’m not going to argue with you.”
This one sounds mature, but it’s often just a way to shut down the conversation before they have to admit fault. By refusing to “argue,” they avoid the discussion altogether and make you seem unreasonable for wanting to talk it out.
13. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
Another classic shutdown tactic. When things get uncomfortable, they’ll declare the conversation over. It’s their way of avoiding accountability while making it seem like they’re just trying to keep the peace.
14. “You’re too sensitive.”
Instead of addressing their mistake, they pin the issue on your feelings. By calling you “too sensitive,” they make it seem like the problem isn’t what they did — it’s how you reacted. It’s a cheap way to shift blame and invalidate your feelings.
15. “I’m not perfect, okay?”
No one expects perfection, but this phrase is their way of excusing their behaviour without actually apologising. By acknowledging their imperfection in a vague, defensive way, they avoid addressing the specific mistake they made.
16. “You’re misunderstanding me.”
When backed into a corner, they’ll claim you didn’t get what they were trying to say. It doesn’t matter how clear their words were — they’ll insist you’ve got it all wrong. It’s a way to avoid taking responsibility while making you second-guess yourself.
