12 Signs That Someone Is Lying To You And How To Deal With Them

In everyday life, we often encounter situations where people might not be completely honest with us. It's important to recognize the signs that someone is not telling the truth. These signs are like hidden clues in the way they talk, act, and use their body language. That's why you need to learn these signs that someone is lying to you.

By understanding these signals, we can become better at spotting when someone is lying to us. In this article, we'll explore some common signs that can help you tell if someone is not being truthful when they communicate with you.

12 Signs That Someone Is Lying to You

Dr. Albert Mehrabian, who wrote Silent Messages, said that you can learn about 90 percent of whether someone is being honest or not from their body language. You will automatically analyze a person's body posture and the way they talk to understand their feelings. Here are 12 signs that someone is lying to you based on their gestures. Read it carefully!

1. Biting The Lips

When someone is forced to lie, it becomes difficult for them to speak because their mouth gets very dry. This has a simple explanation: when a person feels stressed, the autonomic nervous system decreases saliva production. If you offer a glass of water to this person, they are likely to drink it very quickly.

This is one of the clear signs that someone might be telling a lie. When a person licks their lips or bites them, it often indicates that they are feeling the pressure of deceit, and their body is reacting to it.

So, paying attention to these subtle gestures can help you uncover when someone is not being truthful. It's essential to remember that body language can provide valuable clues about a person's true feelings and intentions.

2. Holding Shoulders and Tilting the Chin

When someone holds their shoulders and tilts their chin while speaking to you, it could indicate that they feel unsure about what they're saying. The same goes for their chin. People who are telling a lie try to make their words sound strong, so their chin will naturally tilt up.

In simpler words, if you notice someone raising their shoulders and chin while talking, it might mean they're not completely confident in what they're saying, and they're trying to appear more certain than they actually are. This body language can be one of the signs that someone is lying to you.

3. Keeping Both Eyes Wide Open

Psychologists claim that a liar can't maintain eye contact for long. However, if someone is lying and wants you to believe what they're saying, they'll try to look you right in the eye to make themselves seem trustworthy. The most significant sign to watch for is a strong tension in the eye muscles because the person is struggling against the urge to look away.

In other words, when someone avoids breaking eye contact during a conversation, they might be trying to convince you of their honesty. But, if you notice their eye muscles tensing up, it's a sign that they're actually fighting to look away, which can be a clue that they might not be telling the truth.

4. Limiting Body Movements

It's common knowledge that uncontrolled movements can indicate that someone is lying. The liar probably knows this, so they will try to restrict their body's movements and stay still.

In simple terms, when someone is telling a lie, they might consciously try to avoid fidgeting or making excessive body movements. They do this because they know that their body language can reveal the truth, so they attempt to stay as still as possible to avoid giving themselves away.

5. Pointing the Index Finger at You

Pointing a finger is considered one of the most aggressive gestures. If someone responds to your question with this gesture, they might be pretending to be angry. They believe that you will see this reaction as a sign of anger and self-defense.

Furthermore, this reaction is also a way for the liar to make you believe that the question or accusation you just made is a mistake. In simpler terms, when someone points their finger at you during a conversation, it could be their way of trying to make you think they're angry or that you're wrong in what you've said. It's a form of manipulation to divert your attention.

6. Tilting the Head

Charles Darwin noticed that humans, just like animals, tend to tilt their heads when they are really interested in something. Liars might also tilt their heads when they are trying to buy time to answer a question. People use this gesture to fake interest, hoping that the person asking the question will notice this gesture and be more lenient towards their lies.

In simpler words, when someone tilts their head, it can be a way to pretend they are genuinely interested in what's being discussed, or it might be a tactic to stall for time when they need to respond to a question. It's a form of body language that they use to make their deception seem less suspicious.

7. Pulling the Collar and Touching the Neck

The neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. When we feel threatened, we might pull at a tight collar to find some fresh air. This movement shows that someone is feeling very uncomfortable and wants to be free.

Another common gesture is neck rubbing. This action might appear as if they are genuinely contemplating your question. In body language, this movement can be interpreted as "I'm not sure if I can agree with you."

So, when people pull their collar or touch their neck during a conversation, it could mean they're feeling uneasy or unsure about what's being discussed. It's a way their body shows discomfort or doubt, and it might suggest that they have reservations about what they're saying.

8. Covering Vulnerable Body Parts

The chest, stomach, and inner thighs are some areas that someone may try to cover when they feel worried. There's actually a physiological explanation for this. The autonomic nervous system sends signals to the abdominal muscles, which might cause them to spasm. These spasms can create discomfort and even pain, so a person who is lying tends to touch or shield these areas.

In simpler words, when people cover their chest, stomach, or inner thighs during a conversation, it's often a sign that they are anxious or uncomfortable. This protective body language can reveal their unease and suggest that they might not be completely truthful in their words.

9. Holding onto an Object

Of the signs that someone is lying to you is they often feel vulnerable or stressed and need something to hold onto to feel more stable. The liar might grasp onto walls, tables, chairs, or other objects to help themselves feel steadier. Gestures like this are quite natural. Even as children, we are taught to hide or seek support when we feel threatened or in danger.

You can conclude that when people hold onto objects during a conversation, it can be a sign that they are anxious or stressed. They do this to find some stability or comfort in a situation. It's a behavior that often comes from our instinct to seek protection or support when we feel uneasy.

10. Adjusting or Tidying Up Appearance

This behavior is often observed in women when they feel uncomfortable about answering a question. They might play with their hair or adjust their eye makeup. These gestures allow them to feel secure and appear more confident about the small lie they're about to tell.

In simple words, when some women feel uneasy answering a question, they might fiddle with their hair or fix their eye makeup. It's a way for them to feel more at ease and confident while telling a small lie. It's like a distraction or a way to boost their self-assurance when they're not being entirely truthful.

11. Slightly Turning Away from You

When talking to someone, we can turn our faces slightly, but our body remains facing the person. This gesture means we are open to having a conversation. However, if someone's body turns away from you, even just a bit, they might be trying to hide from something that makes them uncomfortable.

So, you can think that when people turn their body away from you, it's a sign that they might be avoiding something or someone that makes them uneasy. It's like a subtle way of showing that they're not fully engaged in the conversation or that they're trying to distance themselves from a particular topic or situation.

12. Crossing Fingers While Shaking Hands

This signal is used by military personnel to indicate that someone is being forced to shake hands. Furthermore, people might cross their fingers behind their back as another sign of insincerity. So, when you're shaking hands with someone, pay attention to the movements of their other hand.

In simpler words, when someone crosses their fingers while shaking hands, it can mean they are doing it under pressure or insincerely. It's a way to communicate that the handshake might not be genuine. So, when you greet someone, it's a good idea to notice what their other hand is doing; it might reveal more about their true intentions.

How to Deal with People Who Like to Lie

Most people tend to get very angry when they find out that they have been deceived. However, getting angry is not always the right choice when dealing with a liar. So, what should you do? Here are some ways to handle people who enjoy lying!

1. Make Sure They Are Really Lying

Everyone sees things differently, and sometimes what you see might be different from what actually happened. So, before you confront or get angry thinking you've been lied to, it's a good idea to find the real facts.

If it turns out they are indeed lying, you can address or remind them that their actions are not right. However, if it turns out they're not lying, you'll be the one feeling embarrassed for making unfounded accusations.

2. Find Undeniable Evidence

As mentioned earlier, people who lie often pretend to be clueless to hide their deception. With this kind of behavior, words alone won't be enough to uncover the lies they've kept from you. You also need to gather various pieces of evidence so they can't escape from what they've done.

3. Don't Get Angry!

If you follow your emotions, you'd probably already be furious because you've been lied to by someone you trust. But getting angry isn't always the right way out. If they admit after you get angry, what if they don't? It's not uncommon for liars to get angry at themselves to cover their tracks.

In such cases, your problem will only get bigger. Instead of wasting energy on anger, it's better to remain calm. Have a conversation with them and tell them about your suspicions, along with strong evidence to support your claims.

4. Think Before You Act

In addition to not getting emotional, you also shouldn't make hasty decisions. Before deciding what you'll do, you need to understand why they lied. Remember, not everyone lies for bad reasons. If it turns out their reasons are good enough, you can consider forgiving them.

5. Remind Them Not to Repeat Their Actions

No matter how harsh the truth may be, it's still the truth. They might have a good reason for lying. However, that doesn't mean their actions are justified. In any case, you need to let them know that you don't like what they did. Tell them that their actions disappointed you, and you don't want them to do the same thing in the future.

Unraveling someone's lies is indeed not an easy task. This is because some expert liars often fiercely defend their falsehoods. Therefore, you need to be aware of the signs of a liar and how to deal with them.

Now that you have a better understanding of the signs that someone is lying to you and how to handle such situations. Remember, it's not just about catching someone in a lie; it's also about approaching the situation with empathy and a clear head. By following these guidelines, you can foster better communication and build trust in your relationships.