May 2, 2025

How to spot a liar in seconds: 10 unmissable body language signs

etimes.in

Body language clues of a liar

While one's words can be carefully chosen to betray people, their body language often tends to tell the truth. Here we list some subtle signs that can help one spot a liar in seconds:

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Avoiding eye contact

Liars often struggle to maintain eye contact. They may either not look at you directly or blink rapidly-- signalling their discomfort, guilt, anxiety, or the fear of being caught lying.

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Too much eye contact

Interestingly, some liars overcompensate by staring intensely. They think making strong eye contact will make them look more honest or convincing, but this should be considered a big cue!

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Touching the face or mouth

Covering the mouth, rubbing the nose, or touching the chin are all little unconscious attempts to suppress the truth. These gestures indicate one's discomfort or internal conflict.

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Inconsistent facial expressions

If someone's emotions don’t match their words, then they are mostly lying. For example, smiling while expressing sadness or showing fear without any reason can be red flags one shouldn't ignore.

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Fidgeting or being too restless

Shuffling feet, tapping fingers, or constantly shifting weight are all signs of nervous energy, which liars often show unintentionally.

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Stiff body language

Liars are very focused on making others believe what they are saying. And so, they often have stiff body language as they try too hard to control their movements and not reveal their anxiety.

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Delayed or forced gestures

Natural hand gestures usually align with speech. But liars might have delayed or exaggerated gestures that don’t match their words.

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Microexpressions

Microexpressions are small, involuntary facial expressions that flash across one's face in a fraction of a second. This happens unconsciously and often reveals one's true feelings before they regain control.

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Sudden changes in voice or breathing

Tension from lying can affect the liar's voice, making it higher-pitched or shaky. You may also notice that their breathing becomes irregular, they keep clearing their throat, or suddenly pause to gather their thoughts before speaking.

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Over-explanation

To make their stories convincing, liars often try too hard by over-explaining and giving too many unnecessary details.

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Thanks For Reading!

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