How To Tell if Someone Is Lying To You.

 While it’s normal to lie from time to time, being able to tell when someone is lying can be a crucial skill. It can help you avoid putting yourself in danger or taking advantage of others.

There are several signs that can help you figure out if someone is telling you a lie, and even some body language queues that can point to deception. Below, we’ve rounded up 34 of these telltales that will make you a better lie detector.

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1. They’re Avoiding the Subject

Lying is one of the shadiest things someone can do to you. It’s a way to hurt you and it can be even worse when it’s coming from a friend you care about.

While lying can be tricky, it’s not impossible to spot if you know what to look for. If you can identify a few common telltale signs, it might save you from a lot of pain and anger.

If you’re having a conversation with someone and they take a long time to respond to your questions, it might be a sign that they’re not being truthful. This could be because they’re busy thinking about an answer or because they are just trying to find the right words.

They may also try to change the subject by saying something completely different. This is a stalling tactic that they use to prevent you from finding out the truth.

They may also be nervous, which makes them sweat and flush red. This can also be seen in microexpressions, which are brief involuntary facial movements that indicate fear. If you notice these cues, it might be a good idea to ask more questions to get a better understanding of what’s happening.

2. They’re Facing the Door

Generally speaking, the best way to tell if someone is telling you the truth is to observe their body language. For example, if they are using their hands to twirl their hair you might be in for a visit around the block. If they are using their feet to do the heavy lifting, you might be pleasantly surprised at the end of the night. Besides, you may be on the winning team in a race to the finish line.

3. They’re Talking Fast

Aside from a well-placed zinger, if they’re talking a lot of words and at a fast pace, this could be an indication that something fishy is afoot. If they’re doing it up on you, it could lead to a meltdown down the hatch, which you don’t want. Luckily, there are a few tricks of the trade that can help you catch a cheater in their underpants. The best way to do this is by asking them the right questions in the right manner and paying attention to what they say and how they say it. That should give you the best shot at catching that special someone before it’s too late.

4. They’re Talking About Something Else

One of the most common ways to tell if someone is lying to you is if they change the subject. This is often done because they feel like they won’t be able to get away with what they’re saying and they want to avoid getting caught.

Body language can also be a great indicator of whether or not someone is telling the truth, according to psychologist Ellen Hendriksen. “Non-congruent gestures” are movements in the body that don’t match what someone is saying, says Hendriksen.

A person’s feet pointing toward an exit usually suggests that they are trying to leave the room without being found out, notes psychologist Mary Coleman. However, this behaviour can also be an indication that they are uncomfortable with you for a variety of reasons, so it’s important to keep that in mind when interpreting their body language.

In addition to their facial expressions and hand gestures, people who are lying may purse their lips or twitch their arms as they speak, suggests Glass. They may also look shiftily towards others, which is a sign that they are nervous about speaking the truth.

5. They’re Saying Too Little

If you’re talking to a liar, it’s no wonder they may be skittish about revealing their dirty little secrets. They might be more than willing to talk to you about their latest escapade, but they can be much less than open and honest about their less savoury past times. So you might have to do some sleuthing in the privacy of your own home or on a date night at their favourite bar, or in your pyjamas on the sofa. While they might be sworn to secrecy, a bit of detective work should turn up the truth and the pilsner. The next time you find yourself in a sticky situation, make it your top priority to pick the brains of the other half before they do.

6. They’re Saying Too Much

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether someone is lying or not, but there are a few common signs that people might be trying to hide something from you.

The first sign to watch for is their voice or way of speaking. A person who is telling the truth will usually speak at a consistent pace and in a tone that fits with their speech style. However, a study from 2011 found that when they told lies, liars often spoke at abnormally slow speeds and in a strange manner.

This can be an especially noticeable change if you know the person well and you are comfortable with their normal speech patterns. Additionally, if you notice that their speech rate changes after they take a pause to think of an answer, it might be a hint that they are telling lies.

If you are worried that they might be lying to you, don’t get upset or defensive. Instead, try to understand the context of what’s going on, says Michael Birkel, director of the Center for Ethics in Communication at UCLA. That will help you determine whether the lie is worth confronting or not, he says.

7. They’re Looking You in the Eye

Eye contact can be an important clue to a person’s truthfulness. And it can also be an indication that someone is lying to you, according to experts.

They’re blinking less: A 2008 study found that people who lie tend to squint more and blink less, says Lillian Glass, author of The Body Language of Liars. The reason for this is that liars are checking to see if their eyes are believable, she says.

Their lips are tightened: Lips that are pressed together or pinched can mean they’re trying to hide their true feelings. This may be a sign that they’re telling a lie, according to Traci Brown, a psychologist in Toronto who specializes in human relations.

A liar’s face can betray their true emotion, and they will “crack” briefly, showing displays of their true emotions in flashes lasting less than one-fifth of a second.

The way they point their hands is also an unconscious signal that they are holding back information or emotions. They might move their hands out of your sight, or they may slide them inside their pockets or under their table.