{"id":8080,"date":"2025-03-26T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/?p=8080"},"modified":"2025-03-25T17:46:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T17:46:42","slug":"7-signs-someone-is-lying-according-to-an-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/2025\/03\/26\/7-signs-someone-is-lying-according-to-an-expert\/","title":{"rendered":"7 signs someone is lying to you – according to an expert"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-post-title” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Black Han Sans|700||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”46px” header_letter_spacing=”4px” custom_margin=”25px||5px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]

The seven psychological SIGNS someone might be lying (and why we often miss them)<\/strong><\/h1>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”intro-wrap” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|on||||||” text_text_color=”#808080″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]

What if, instead of jumping to conclusions, we learned to check our instincts instead?<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”credit-name” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Black Han Sans|||on|||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_4_font=”|||on|||||” header_4_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Words by Eve Stanway<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/03\/imago344456200-scaled.jpg” alt=”Woman” title_text=”Business woman in elegant blue suit has crossed fingers behind her back as a form of” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Lying is part of the human condition. From children caught red-handed in the biscuit tin to partners claiming they are \u2018fine\u2019 when their body language tells a different story, deception takes many forms. In my work as a therapist and divorce coach, I often meet people wrestling not only with what was said, but with what they felt was left unsaid.<\/p>\n

Most of us think we can spot a lie, yet when it matters most, when our heart is on the line or our trust is wobbling, our inner compass can spin wildly. What if, instead of jumping to conclusions, we learned to check our instincts the way we check whether the milk has gone off?<\/p>\n

We do not just look at the milk. We smell it. We rely on more than one sense. When it comes to honesty, we need to do the same, observe, listen, and feel. Here are divorce and break up coach, pyschotherapist and conflict resolution specialist Eve Stanway’s seven psychological signs that someone might be lying…<\/p>\n

1. Overcompensating with too much detail<\/h3>\n

A liar often tries to sound convincing by providing elaborate, unnecessary detail. Rather than a straightforward answer, they provide a long, roundabout explanation. The truth is usually clean and simple. Lies often come dressed in too many words.<\/p>\n

2. Avoiding ‘I’ statements\u00a0<\/h3>\n

People who lie often distance themselves from what they are saying. Instead of saying, \u2018I lost the bag,\u2019 they might say, \u2018The bag got lost.\u2019 It is subtle, but it removes personal responsibility. If you feel someone stepping away from their own story, lean in with curiosity.<\/p>\n

3. Changing the subject too quickly<\/h3>\n

Dodging discomfort is common when someone is being dishonest. If your question is met with deflection, humour, or blame \u2013 \u2018Why are you asking me this?\u2019 \u2013 it may be a sign that the truth feels too much to face.<\/p>\n

4. Micro-expressions that don’t match the words\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Our faces often give us away before our words do. A flicker of anger during a denial, or a momentary look of fear followed by a forced smile, can signal an internal tug-of-war between truth and presentation. These expressions are fast, but if something feels off, it probably is.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-quote” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Libre Bodoni|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#333333″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]

‘The goal is not to become a lie detector, but rather to become more connected to yourself’<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

5. Repeating the question before answering<\/h3>\n

This is a classic stalling tactic. \u2018Did I say that? Did I say that\u2026\u2019\u2028Repeating the question gives the brain a moment to invent a more convincing answer. While not conclusive on its own, paired with other signs, it may indicate that something is being constructed.<\/p>\n

6. Inconsistencies in the story<\/h3>\n

Truth tends to stay the same. Lies evolve. If someone\u2019s version of events shifts depending on who they are talking to, or if you notice contradictions emerging, it might be time to ask yourself why the story keeps changing.<\/p>\n

7. Emotion that does not quite fit the situation<\/h3>\n

Words and feelings usually dance together. When someone says, \u2018Of course, I am telling the truth,\u2019 but does so with a blank face or overly stiff body, something may be amiss. Our bodies are often more honest than our mouths.<\/p>\n

So, what to do with all this?<\/h3>\n

Just like sniffing the milk before pouring it, truth detection works best when you check from more than one angle. Listen to the words. Notice the tone. Tune in to how your body feels in the presence of this person. Do you feel at ease? Or slightly out of sync? For example, imagine someone says, \u2018I promise I didn’t speak to them again,\u2019 and then avoids your gaze, provides unnecessary details, and bristles when you calmly ask follow-up questions. You may not have hard evidence, but your inner senses are signalling a mismatch.<\/p>\n

In my coaching work, I help people rebuild the connection with their own emotional radar. Too often, we dismiss our instincts in favour of logic or people-pleasing. Yet your body remembers things your mind might explain away. The stomach drop. The dry mouth. The tension in your shoulders. None of these are proof, but together they are like the sour smell of gone-off milk, which isn\u2019t something you want to ignore.<\/p>\n

The goal is not to become a lie detector, but rather to become more connected to yourself. These signs are not accusations, they are signals. They invite us to pause, ask thoughtful questions, and listen not just to the answers but to what lives underneath.<\/p>\n

Eve Stanway<\/a> is a divorce and break-up coach, psychotherapist and conflict resolution specialist based in the UK. She helps people manage emotional overwhelm, build clarity, and speak up in life\u2019s most challenging conversations. <\/em><\/p>\n

Her online course, Navigating with the Heart, supports parents in helping their children navigate separation and divorce with tools, workbooks and live coaching. Her upcoming book, Conversations at the Shoreline, delves into how to have life\u2019s toughest conversations. Visit www.evestanway.co.uk to find out more.<\/em><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#111111″ divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”2px” module_class=”custom-divider” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text module_class=”credit-texts” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|||on|||||” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Photo: <\/b>IMAGO<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The easy, instinctive ways you can spot if someone might be lying…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":8081,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"guestgrazia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8080","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8080"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8080\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8098,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8080\/revisions\/8098"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/grazia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}