If someone displays these 10 behaviors, they’re a seasoned liar

Ever felt like someone’s lying to you but you can’t quite put your finger on it?

We all know that liars can make life tough.

But what if you could spot them easily?

Good news: I’ve got a list of 10 signs that show someone is really good at lying.

This isn’t about small lies like saying “I’m fine” when you’re not.

This is about people who lie so well, you almost believe them.

So, if you want to catch a liar before they trick you, keep reading.

1. They’re a Little Too Detailed

You ask them a simple question like, “Where were you last night?” and suddenly, they’ve got a full-on story complete with what they ate, who they saw, and even the color of the shirt they were wearing. It’s like they’re reading from a script!

Why is this a red flag?

Because most people don’t remember every tiny detail about their day.

When someone offers up a bunch of extra information without being asked, they might be trying to make their story sound super believable.

But actually, it can come off as just the opposite—a big, fat lie.

Remember, if it sounds like a rehearsed story, chances are it’s because it is.

Keep an ear out for those overly detailed answers, because they might be hiding something!

2. Their Body Language is Off

Ever notice how some people can’t look you in the eye when they’re talking?

Or maybe they keep fidgeting, touching their face, or crossing their arms.

Yeah, I’ve had a few friends like that, and let me tell you, I always get a little suspicious.

Body language often speaks louder than words.

When someone’s lying, they’re not just trying to convince you; they’re also trying to convince themselves.

This inner tug-of-war often leaks out through weird or awkward body movements.

For example, if they’re avoiding eye contact or their eyes dart around the room, that’s a classic sign they might be lying.

Of course, some people are just naturally fidgety, but if you see this along with some of our other ‘liar signs,’ then you might want to dig a little deeper.

So next time you’re talking to someone and something feels “off,” trust your gut and pay close attention to what their body’s saying—it might just spill the beans for you!

3. They’re Too Calm and Collected

You’d think a liar would be all nervous and jittery, right?

Well, seasoned liars are often the complete opposite—cool as a cucumber.

Yep, I’ve been tricked by this one myself, thinking, “They seem so calm; they must be telling the truth.”

Here’s the thing: people who lie a lot have had lots of practice. They know how to control their emotions and keep a poker face.

So if you’re in a heated conversation and they’re unnaturally calm, almost like they’re floating above it all, that might be a sign they’re not being straight with you.

Just think about it. If you’re caught in a lie, your first reaction might be to get a little panicky.

But if lying is like second nature to them, they’ve probably learned to fake that natural, calm demeanor.

It’s their way of flying under your radar and making you second-guess your own instincts.

So don’t let a calm exterior fool you. Sometimes, it’s actually a smokescreen for deception.

4. They Turn the Tables on You

You ever had someone lie to you, and when you call them out, they suddenly make it all about you?

As if you’re the one with the problem for even suspecting them? Yeah, it sucks, doesn’t it?

This is what seasoned liars do—they play offense instead of defense.

Instead of explaining themselves or providing more clarity, they attack. “Why don’t you trust me?” or “You’re always so suspicious; it’s exhausting.”

Sound familiar?

What they’re really doing is trying to make you feel guilty for even questioning them, making you the ‘bad guy’ in the situation.

It’s a clever tactic because it takes the focus off them and puts it on you.

And let’s be honest, it’s kind of a low blow. It messes with your head, and you might even start doubting yourself.

Don’t fall for it.

If they start flipping the script when you ask a simple question, it’s not you—it’s them.

Keep your eyes peeled for this one; it’s a classic trick in the liar’s playbook.

5. They Change Their Story Often

Ever had a chat with someone whose story keeps changing faster than a chameleon changes its colors?

One minute they say they were at a family dinner, and the next, it turns into a work meeting.

I had a friend like that in college, and let me tell you, keeping up with his stories was like watching a TV series with too many plot twists.

Here’s the thing: the truth is easy to remember because, well, it happened.

Lies, on the other hand, are like houses of cards—they’re fragile and need to be carefully maintained.

The more a person lies, the harder it becomes to keep all those fabricated tales straight.

When someone can’t stick to one version of events, that’s a massive red flag.

You shouldn’t need a notepad to keep track of what someone is saying if they’re being honest.

So, if you notice the details of their story keep changing, chances are they’re trying to cover up a lie—or maybe even a bunch of ’em.

If someone’s story starts changing faster than you can say “Pinocchio,” trust your gut. They’re probably not being honest with you.

6. They’re Quick to Agree with You

This one’s a bit tricky. You might think that if someone agrees with you quickly, they’re on your side, right?

But sometimes, it’s just the opposite.

A seasoned liar will often agree with you too quickly, almost before you’ve finished your sentence.

It’s like they’re trying to end the conversation before it even starts.

Why?

Because the quicker they agree, the less time you have to think about what they’re saying and catch them in a lie.

It’s a way to steer the conversation away from topics they don’t want to delve into.

Let’s say you mention that you heard they were at a certain place at a certain time.

If they quickly say, “Oh yeah, totally, I was there,” but don’t offer any more details, your lie-detector alarm should start buzzing.

So, if you find someone’s just a little too eager to agree with you, pause and ask yourself why they’re trying to wrap things up so quickly.

Are they avoiding a deeper conversation? If so, they might be hiding something.

7. They Use Qualifiers and Evasive Language

If you’ve ever heard someone answer a question with phrases like “To the best of my knowledge,” “As far as I remember,” or “I could be wrong, but,” then you might be dealing with a seasoned liar.

These qualifiers create wiggle room, making it easier for the person to backpedal later if they get caught in a lie.

For example, if you ask, “Did you finish the project?” and they respond with, “I believe I did most of it,” that’s a sign to dig deeper.

Why?

Because an honest answer would be straightforward—either they finished it or they didn’t.

Evasive language is a clever tactic because it seems like they’re answering your question, but they’re actually not committing to anything.

It’s like they’re leaving a back door open for themselves, just in case they need to make a quick escape later.

So the next time someone starts throwing qualifiers your way, be cautious.

They might be preparing their exit strategy from a lie, and you’ll want to be ready to catch them in the act.

8. They’re Overly Defensive About Unrelated Topics

Let’s say you ask someone a direct question about where they were last night, and they respond by going on a tangent about their commitment to punctuality or their stellar track record of honesty.

Wait a minute, you think, I didn’t even ask about that!

Here’s the counterintuitive part: you’d assume a liar would only get defensive about the specific lie they’re telling.

But some seasoned liars actually divert the conversation to show how great they are at unrelated things.

It’s like they’re saying, “Look at me; I’m such an honest and dependable person in all these other areas, so why would I lie about this?”

What’s really happening is a diversion tactic.

They’re leading you away from the lie and hoping you’ll get lost in the maze of other topics.

It’s almost like a magician’s trick—while you’re busy looking at one hand, the other is doing something sneaky.

So if someone goes off-topic and starts defending their character instead of answering your question, your radar should go up.

They might be covering up a lie with a whole lot of smoke and mirrors.

9. They Can’t Keep Track of Their Lies

Look, lying is exhausting. I mean, can you imagine having to remember a whole web of made-up stories?

It’s like a full-time job on top of your regular life.

Sooner or later, they’re going to slip up, and you’ll catch them contradicting themselves.

And when that happens, it feels like you’ve hit the jackpot of lies. It’s both frustrating and, let’s be honest, a little satisfying to finally catch them.

These people are so wrapped up in their tales that they forget who they’ve told what.

One day they might tell you they’re allergic to seafood; the next, they’re downing shrimp like there’s no tomorrow.

That’s not just forgetfulness; that’s a red flag waving right in front of you, screaming, “I’m a liar!”

So if you catch someone contradicting themselves, don’t brush it off.

This is your moment—the crack in their armor.

It’s a glaring sign that they’re not being honest, and you’ve got every right to call them out on it.

Because honestly, you deserve better than to be lied to.

10. They Always Have an Excuse Ready

Ah, the perpetual excuse-maker. You know the type—no matter what situation they find themselves in, they always have a reason for why things aren’t their fault or why they didn’t do what they said they’d do.

It’s like they have an arsenal of excuses locked and loaded, ready to fire at a moment’s notice.

Now, everyone has legitimate excuses sometimes, but a seasoned liar?

They’ve got an excuse for everything, all the time. Missed a deadline? The dog ate their computer. Late to a meeting? Aliens abducted them. Forgot your birthday? They were fighting off ninjas.

Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get the picture.

It’s almost impressive how creative they can get.

But don’t be fooled—this isn’t a sign of a vivid imagination; it’s a hallmark of dishonesty.

Real people in the real world mess up and own it, instead of trying to weave an intricate tapestry of lies to cover it up.

So if you know someone who seems to have an endless supply of excuses, take a step back.

Chances are, they’re not just bad at time management or unlucky; they’re probably good old-fashioned liars.

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Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 15 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. Check out my latest book on the Hidden Secrets of Buddhism and How it Saved My Life. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.

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