Manipulation isn’t always easy to spot. It often hides behind kind words and phrases that make us question ourselves.

But that’s about to change.

We’re here to uncover 10 phrases men use when they’re purposely trying to manipulate you. This article is your guide to recognizing when you’re being manipulated and feeling more self-assured during conversations.

Let’s dive into the world of hidden manipulation.

1. “You’re overreacting”

We’ve all heard this one, right? You express your feelings or concerns about something, and he dismisses it by telling you that you’re overreacting.

It might seem innocent, a simple way for him to calm you down. But in reality, he’s invalidating your feelings and making you question your own judgment. This is a classic manipulation trick – making you doubt your own emotions so he can control the situation.

If a man uses this phrase often, it’s a red flag that he’s trying to manipulate you.

2. “I was just joking”

Ever had someone say something hurtful or disrespectful, and when you get upset, they quickly add “I was just joking”? This phrase is often used to mask inappropriate remarks and make you question whether you’re too sensitive.

By saying he was just joking, he downplays his hurtful words and shifts the blame onto you for not understanding his ‘humor’. It’s a sneaky way of manipulating you into feeling guilty for reacting to his disrespectful behavior.

Always remember, humor should never be at the expense of someone’s feelings. If this phrase frequently pops up in your conversations, it’s another sign of manipulative behavior.

3. “If you really loved me, you would…”

Ok, let’s talk about this one. This phrase often comes up when a man wants to guilt-trip you into doing something you’re not comfortable with. And it happened to me once.

I was dating this guy and he wanted me to ditch a family gathering to attend a party with his friends. When I resisted, he said, “If you really loved me, you would do this for me.” It made me feel guilty for prioritizing my family and questioned my own feelings for him.

But here’s the thing: love should never be used as a bargaining chip. No one should ever manipulate you into doing something by questioning your love for them. If this phrase pops up in your conversations, it’s a clear sign of manipulation.

4. “No one else would put up with you”

This phrase is a hard hitter. It’s designed to make you feel like you’re lucky to have him, that no one else would tolerate your flaws or quirks the way he does. It’s a manipulative tactic aimed at lowering your self-esteem and making you feel dependent on him.

According to psychology, people who constantly belittle or criticize others often do so to elevate their own status and control others. So, if a man frequently uses this phrase, it’s not a testament to your worth but rather a reflection of his manipulative behavior.

5. “You’re always so negative”

This phrase can really tug at your heartstrings. It’s painful to hear, especially if you’re going through a tough time and leaning on him for support. By labeling you as ‘negative’, he disregards your feelings and makes you feel guilty for expressing them.

It’s essential to understand that it’s okay to have bad days and feel down sometimes. It’s okay to share these feelings with those close to us. This is what makes us human, and it’s how we connect on a deeper level.

If someone labels your valid reactions or feelings as ‘negative’, it’s not because of anything you’ve done wrong. Instead, it’s a manipulation tactic designed to silence you and make you feel as though your feelings are a burden.

6. “Can’t you take a hint?”

Now this one, it’s a real doozy. I remember a time when I was trying to communicate with a guy I was seeing. He’d often avoid answering my questions directly or ignore them altogether. When I would press for clarity, he would often retort with, “Can’t you take a hint?”

This phrase is a manipulative way of avoiding responsibility for clear communication. It puts the blame on you for not understanding his vague or indirect messages.

Communication should always be direct and clear in any relationship. If you’re hearing this phrase often, it could be a sign that he’s trying to manipulate the situation to his benefit. Don’t fall for it. You have every right to ask for clarity and honesty in your conversations.

7. “You’re remembering it wrong”

This one – oh, it’s a biggie and it’s downright cruel. It’s called gaslighting. This phrase is used to make you question your memory, perception, and sanity. It’s one of the most harmful forms of manipulation because it can make you feel like you’re losing your mind.

Imagine you’re sure of something that happened or something that was said, but he insists that you’re remembering it wrong. Over time, this constant doubt can make you lose confidence in your own mind.

I’ll be blunt here: if a man is telling you that you’re remembering things wrong when you’re sure of your memories, it’s a red flag. A huge one. This is manipulation at its worst.

8. “You’re too sensitive”

This is another common phrase men use when manipulating. By labeling you as ‘too sensitive’, he’s disregarding your feelings and making them seem unreasonable or invalid.

In fact, people who are quick to label others as ‘too sensitive’ are often trying to divert attention from their own inappropriate behavior.

So, if you’re frequently tagged as ‘too sensitive’ in your conversations, it’s not a flaw in you but a manipulation tactic he’s using.

9. “I’m sorry you feel that way”

This one can be tricky because it sounds like an apology. But if you look closer, you’ll notice he’s not really apologizing for his actions or words, but rather for how you’re feeling about them. It’s a subtle way of shifting the blame from him to you.

I once had a man tell me, “I’m sorry you feel that way” when I expressed how his words hurt me. He didn’t apologize for what he said or showed any remorse; instead, he made it about my feelings as if they were the problem and not his actions.

This is a classic manipulation tactic. Real apologies involve acknowledging one’s wrong behavior and making efforts to avoid repeating it. If you encounter this phrase masked as an apology, be aware that it may be a sign of manipulation.

10. “You’re making a big deal out of nothing”

This phrase is a master manipulator’s tool. It undermines your feelings and experiences, making you feel like you’re overreacting or being dramatic. It’s a way for him to avoid taking responsibility for his actions or dismissing concerns you may have about his behavior.

Let’s lay it out plain and simple: if something matters to you, it’s not nothing. Your feelings, thoughts, and experiences are important. If he uses this phrase often, it’s a clear sign of manipulation.