Q&A for How to Know if Someone is Lying

Pay attention to her body language the next time you speak with her. Liars tend to use certain cues and habits without realizing it, like breathing rapidly, fidgeting, darting their eyes, and blinking fast. If your sister does any of these things, there’s a good chance that she’s lying to you.

Call the person up, if you can. While there’s no replacement for a face-to-face meeting, there are plenty of audio cues that point to someone being dishonest, like using vocal filler, speaking in a high-pitched voice, talking slowly, or repeating phrases.

There is only one version of the truth. On the other hand, there are many versions of a lie. A liar usually won't tell the exact same story twice, so listen closely for any inconsistencies.

It's possible, but some people just naturally stutter, so you'd have to know the person and know if it's common for them to stutter or not.

If they have experience yes, they may be able to stare you down unflinchingly. If they try to avoid eye contact or suddenly find the ceiling a lot more interesting, chances are, they're lying.

You don't want the person to get away with lying if you know the truth, so politely tell them that you know that is not true. Honesty is a form of trust and kindness, and if the liar keeps saying they aren't lying, tell them that.

It depends. In some situations, the person might have had to repeat this story numerous times, so they just want to say it quickly and get it done with. However, it can depend on the person, too. Everyone has some sort of sign they make when they are lying and for some people it is talking quickly. Maybe just ask if they are telling the truth, because you don't want to accuse someone of lying when they are not or you are unsure.

Not necessarily. Some people just blink a lot, or she could have something in her eye. However, it might mean that she is surprised or worried by your question, which could mean she is lying.

Of course. Sexual predators will say whatever they need to to get you to where they can take advantage of you.

Nodding is sometimes a sign of lying, but lack of eye contact, repeated swallowing and fidgeting are more common signs.

You can watch to see if her belly grows over time. Of course, she could fake that, but ultimately does it really matter? If she's lying, that's silly, but it doesn't affect you.

It depends on the person, but both of the things you describe sound like blushing. Either way, some people blush and others don't. Some people get shifty eyes or nervous, bouncing legs -- everyone has different "signs" that they're lying.

She probably won't lie unless she it's a joke but you can usually tell if she's sincere.

Maybe, but it really depends on the question you asked. If they think you're accusing them of doing something bad that they genuinely didn't do, this might make them angry as well.

No, not necessarily. They are uncomfortable or bored.

This could be indicative of guilt, but it could also be the result of the suspect's anxiety.

Go to the source. Ask out your crush -- if he says yes, then she's telling the truth.

When a person will not listen or be reasonable, it is wise to go to someone who will listen and be reasonable, such as a parent, a counselor, a pastor, etc. It can also help to not take your sister's attitude to heart; if she sees it doesn't bother you, she'll likely cut it out.

Not necessarily. You could be talking about a topic that is making them uncomfortable. This is something that people do when they are lying, but don't assume they are without other evidence.

Just let her lie. You can be kind and gently let her know that you don't care about those things, that you just want to be friends and she doesn't need to pretend around you. She'll sigh a sigh of relief and it will be over.

Stalking is repeated undue presence. If you feel something is wrong and keep following someone around to get more input, then yes, you're stalking the person. If you investigate things that are none of your business, then it could be harassment, stalking and violation of privacy. If you feel something is wrong, ask questions. If someone needs help, call the police.

They might segue into another conversation to distract from the lie, but it's not common. Liars are more prone to focus on the lies, adding in many unnecessary details.

It's possible, especially if they are nervous, but it could also just mean they are distracted.

Some people can lie very effectively. Some people do not have the ability to discern a falsehood. Perhaps you should always presume both: maybe a lie, maybe the truth. Then consider the outcome of both. Also, you may need to find a trustworthy friend that will help you to know the difference.

If he seems nervous, then he probably isn't lying. If his friends look like they are trying not to laugh or confused, then he is probably lying.

Different people will behave differently whenever they're lying, but there are some physical clues you can use to help figure out if someone is being dishonest. Listen to their breathing, and keep a close eye on their posture. When breathing heavily, people tend to lift their shoulders and speak in a more shallow tone of voice. Heavy breathing could be a sign that they're nervous about lying. Take a close look at their body language as well. Some people fidget when they lie while others are super rigid. A fidgeting person might shuffle their feet, move their head from side to side, or shift back and forth. On the other hand, a liar might look as still as a statue and not fidget whatsoever. If you know the person well, you can usually tell if they're behaving strangely. So if they're acting weird or out of character, you can probably trust your gut if it's telling you that they aren't being honest with you.

While liars may not always use specific words that let you know they're lying, they may do things like repeat words or phrases. Liars tend to repeat words for different reasons. They might say the same phrase over and over to drill it in your mind, or to give themselves some extra time to put together a good lie. While it doesn't always mean they're lying, generally, it's a bad sign if someone keeps repeating themselves. Someone who's lying may also use vague terms and gloss over details.

There are definitely a few tell-tale signs you can look for to figure out if someone is lying or not. Oftentimes, liars tend to either fidget too much or sit rigidly. Take a close look at their body language—a fidgeting person might shuffle their feet, move their head from side to side, or shift back and forth. You can watch their eyes, too. If a person’s eyes start quickly shifting to the left and right, there’s a good chance that they aren’t telling the truth. They may also blink really fast. If they're blinking more than 5 or 6 times in a row, they may be hiding something. Some people may even keep their eyes closed for an abnormal amount of time when they're being dishonest. If they close their eyes for 1-2 full seconds while they're telling you something, it could be a lie.

Everyone has different signs when they lie. If he usually jumps up and down a lot, then that is his tell, since you know already it mans he is lying.

If she's already presented it to her class, then there's probably not too much you could do about it. But yes, definitely let her know what you found and ask her politely and gently if she copied it. It is better she is aware now that people (including a friend) will check on her artistic claims, how easy it is to find such things online and that she can be "found out" if she isn't being honest about this. It might spur her on to becoming a more original and thoughtful artist.