Everyone tells a lie sometimes—big or small. But how do you recognize when someone is *really* lying? Fortunately, our bodies often reveal more than we realize. Without knowing it, people give off all sorts of subtle, unconscious signals when they aren’t being entirely honest. Here are ten psychologically proven signs you can use to tell if someone is lying, even if they don’t realize it themselves.
1. They avoid eye contact
When someone lies, they often find it difficult to look you straight in the eye. Unconsciously, they look away, down, or to the side because they feel uncomfortable with their own lie.
So, pay attention if someone suddenly struggles to meet your gaze—this can indicate dishonesty.
2. They touch their face more often
Someone who is lying unconsciously touches their face, nose, or mouth more frequently. This is called the “Pinocchio effect“: stress causes slight itching or tingling in the face, leading the person to automatically touch their nose or mouth.
So if your conversation partner suddenly fidgets with their face more, it could be a sign they’re not being honest.
3. Their voice changes
When people lie, their voice often changes subtly. The pitch might become slightly higher due to stress or tension. Someone might also start speaking softer, or unnecessarily loud.
When you notice someone suddenly sounds different than usual, it could be a subtle sign that something is amiss.
4. They provide too many details
People who lie often try to make their story more believable by adding lots of details. They think more details make their story more convincing, but in reality, it often comes across as less credible.
If someone is overly elaborate, especially with simple questions, they might be trying to hide something.
5. They use distancing language
When someone lies, they unconsciously try to distance themselves from the lie. They might use words like “that person” instead of names, or speak in passive sentences (“something happened” instead of “I did something”).
Pay close attention to word choice and distancing language—it can mean someone isn’t being entirely truthful.
6. They exhibit nervous behavior
Someone who is lying can unconsciously become nervous. You might see this in small gestures like fidgeting with objects, tapping fingers, or restless movements.
This nervousness arises from tension and fear of being discovered. Nervous behavior can thus be a sign that someone isn’t telling the truth.
7. Their emotions don’t match what they’re saying
Often, emotions betray the liar. Someone might say they’re sad, but their face shows little emotion, or someone says they’re happy but laughs forcedly and without feeling.
When body language and facial expressions don’t align with the words someone says, you can doubt the authenticity of the story.
8. They pause noticeably often
When someone lies, they have to think extra hard about their answers. This results in longer pauses, silences, or hesitations during the conversation.
Do you notice someone pausing a lot or thinking long about simple questions? Then it’s quite possible they’re making something up.
9. They become defensive
When you ask a simple question and someone reacts overly defensively or irritated, it can indicate a lie. People who lie often become defensive because they feel attacked and try to protect their lie.
If someone reacts surprisingly strongly to a simple question, it can be a clear sign of dishonesty.
10. Their body language changes suddenly
Pay attention to sudden changes in body language. Someone who is lying might suddenly cross their arms, lean back, or turn their body away. This is an unconscious attempt to distance themselves from the situation and protect themselves.
An abrupt change in posture often indicates discomfort, and that can mean someone isn’t being honest.
Lying is something we all do, but our bodies usually don’t lie along with us. With these ten subtle, unconscious signals, you can more easily recognize when someone is twisting the truth. While none of these signs are absolute proof of a lie, they give you good clues to pay closer attention. This way, you can more quickly see who is being honest—and who is slightly less so.
