12+ Signs Of A Good Liar

Inconsistencies in their stories

Image Source: Reddit

Lying is something that is usually frowned upon by the majority of people, and it can be difficult to assess whether someone is lying. Constant inconsistencies in someone's stories is typically a big signal of someone lying, and it actually allows the individual to change their stories, dependant on who they may be talking to.

Avoiding eye contact

Image Source: Reddit

Avoiding eye contact is another key signal that someone may be lying, and is something a repeat liar will master. They will provide you with just enough eye contact, to make you believe they are being honest with you, and then they will proceed to withdraw it slowly.

Overly rehearsed responses

Image Source: Reddit

Any good liar will have phrases, stories and responses memorized for any kind of question they may be asked, and overly rehearsed responses are another signal to look out for. It may seem like they have already prepared their response, before you've even had the chance to come up with a question for them.

Excessive body language

Image Source: Reddit

Some liars may use exaggerated/excessive body language, as a way of distracting themselves and others from their lies. This can take on many forms, and will differ from person-to-person e.g. playing with their hair, rubbing their hands, gesturing with their hands, tapping their feet and crossing their arms.

Minimal facial expressions

Image Source: Reddit

The majority of good liars will resort to showing minimal facial expressions, to avoid possibly giving away their deceitful behavior. It can be easy to identify if most people are lying, as they will often be smirking and/or holding back laughter. Good liars will not allow themselves to showcase this kind of emotion.

Micro-expressions

Image Source: Reddit

Linking back to the last point, good liars may allow micro-expressions slip through when they're lying, which is highly effective as they're much more difficult to pick up on. These micro-expressions can range from: a raise of an eyebrow and a twitch in their lip (slight smirk), to a small laugh or widened eyes.

Excessive sweating

Image Source: Reddit

Excessive sweating is usually a key signal of an inexperienced liar, but it is also something that can happen to the best liars around. The only difference is, is that a good liar will have a (seemingly) plausible explanation for their perspiration, and will share the explanation in a more believable way.

Fidgeting

Image Source: Reddit

Fidgeting and constant movement is another key signal of someone being deceitful, but a good liar will utilize this to their benefit. If someone were to question them about it, they will already have a rehearsed response for such a question, which they will say with strong conviction.

Pupil dilation

Image Source: Reddit

Pupil dilation is one of the more difficult signs to pick up on, as you need to be within close proximity to someone. Someone's pupils can dilate due to a range of reasons e.g. weather, lighting and stress, so it isn't the most fool-proof way to assess if someone is lying.

Excessive blinking

Image Source: Reddit

Excessive blinking is usually caused by nerves and/or stress, so it can be a great way to assess if someone is lying. A good liar will also utilize this for their benefit, by blinking at a normal rate, and proceeding to slowly increase the rate (without you really picking up on it).

Throat clearing or swallowing

Image Source: Reddit

If someone is constantly clearing their throat and/or swallowing, it is a possible sign of lying, but it can be caused by other factors e.g. illness, nerves, stress and irritation. A good liar will showcase these actions in well-rehearsed amounts, at the right intervals.

Lack of emotional response

Image Source: Reddit

A lack of emotions links back to the point of micro-expressions, and the way in which a good liar will showcase this behavior. An inexperienced liar will display inappropriate emotions in certain situations, which a good liar will refrain from doing (however they may do so in a subtle way).

Defensive posture

Image Source: Reddit

Posture can be another signal that someone is being deceitful. Defensive posture is typically the style of posture, that liars will resort to. A good liar can utilize this for their benefit, and use it in a way that manipulates your questioning of their behavior.

Verbosity

Image Source: Reddit

Verbosity refers to the act of over-explaining certain elements of a story, or providing too much information, in an attempt to divert attention to certain lies. This is a core tactic for an experienced liar, and they can adapt it to work within any situation possible.

Changes in speech rate

Image Source: Reddit

A change in someone's speech rate is another (more subtle) signifier of lying. Someone may be speaking much quicker or slower than usual, in an attempt to communicate their lies in a believable manner. Good liars will constantly change their speech pattern, dependant on who they are lying to.

Gaps in the timeline

Image Source: Reddit

Gaps within the timeline of someone's story is another key indicator of lying, and is usually the main way in which someone is caught out. Liars will tend to leave out key sections within their story's timeline, or they will give vague explanations of them (if they're questioned about it).

Unusual voice pitch

Image Source: Reddit

Similarly to a change in speech rate, some people's voice pitch changes when they are lying. Their pitch may heighten or lower, due to nerves and general stress, which can also be paired with an altered speech rate. Good liars will alter their speech, dependant on who they are speaking to.

Unnecessary qualifiers

Image Source: Reddit

Unnecessary qualifiers relates to the way in which someone is telling a lie, as they may add certain phrases, exclamations and/or qualifiers into their speech (to make their lies more believable). This can be affected by a specific situation, and who they are attempting to lie to. A good liar may use certain qualifiers, but they will do so in a controlled manner.

Reluctance to answer

Image Source: Reddit

Reluctance to answer questions is a defence tactic used by liars, in order to avoid being caught within their lies. Questions lead to the need to elaborate and explain certain information, which can be difficult for an inexperienced liar. However, a good liar will rely on their rehearsed responses and body language.

Shifting blame

Image Source: Reddit

Shifting the blame is a typical tactic used by all kinds of liars, and is used as a way to deflect attention from them. It is also another way to elaborate on their lying, by creating a false narrative surrounding other individuals' behavior/actions (without jeopardizing their own version of events).

Unusual sweating patterns

Image Source: Reddit

Linking back to excessive sweating, someone may showcase unusual sweating patterns if they are lying. This type of sweating can include: sweat on the forehead, upper lip and palms. This is typically indicative of an inexperienced liar, and a good liar will always have an explanation for unusual sweating.

Closed body language

Image Source: Reddit

Closed body language is typically a sign of deceit, and is another defence mechanism used by liars. This type of body language can present itself in a range of ways, with the most common being, crossed arms across the chest. A good liar will still do this, but in a way that doesn't raise any unnecessary suspicion.

Changes in breathing

Image Source: Reddit

Breathing is another way of assessing if someone is lying. A change in someone's breath pattern is typically caused by nerves/anxiety, relating to lying. Shallow or irregular breathing is a sign of anxiety, and is worsened by questioning. A good liar will never showcase a change in breathing patterns.

Minimal use of contractions

Image Source: Reddit

In an attempt to sound more formal, a liar may avoid using contractions within their speech. This is a great signifier to someone lying, especially if it differentiates greatly from their usual lexicon. Good liars will and won't use contractions, dependant on the situation/person they are speaking to.

Sudden changes in emotion

Image Source: Reddit

Sudden changes in someone's emotions, is a definite sign that they are lying, and should be approached tactically. Good liars may have sudden changes within their emotions, but they are more likely to gain back control of them (if they slip whilst speaking).

Inconsistencies in emotions

 

Image Source: Reddit

Linking back to the previous point, inconsistencies in emotions can also be a sign of someone lying. For example, if the emotions that someone is expressing doesn't fit the context/content of their story, it is likely that they are being deceitful. This behavior is not common with experienced liars.

Limited or selective memory

Image Source: Reddit

Limited or selective memory, especially if it links to someone's initial story, can be one of the key indicators of a liar. They will claim to forget certain details, in an attempt to avoid lying further, or be reminded of certain elements of their story that they may have forgotten.

Overemphasis on honesty

Image Source: Reddit

If someone is over-emphasizing their honesty, and the fact that they can be trusted, is actually a red flag. If someone feels the need to do this, then it is likely that the person is a compulsive liar. Good liars may use this tactic, but flip it in a way that makes you feel guilty for not trusting them 100%.

Overly friendly behavior

Image Source: Reddit

A good liar will typically showcase (overly) friendly behavior to divert any suspicions about their stories, and to charm someone into a false sense of security and trust. It can be difficult to pick up on, especially if you don't really know the individual's character and overall intentions.

Lack of self-awareness

Image Source: Reddit

Many skilled liars will believe their own lies, making them appear more convincing, but also making them blind to outsiders' perceptions of them. Others may see this as a lack of self-awareness, and will find it easier to pick up on their lies (in comparison to their inner circle of 'friends').