We’ve all been there: That conversation where you can’t quite shake off the inkling that something’s amiss.

Your gut tells you that they’re not being entirely truthful, but how can you be certain?

That’s where the fascinating world of psychology steps in.

It turns out, our bodies can often betray our words and reveal when we’re weaving a web of lies.

As humans, we’re not as slick as we think.

There are subtle body language signs we unconsciously display when we’re not telling the truth—and these signs, my friend, are what we’re going to explore.

So buckle up! I’m about to guide you through seven body language signals that could potentially flag when someone’s pants are metaphorically on fire.

Just a heads up: It’s going to be quite an eye-opener!

1) The eyes have it

As the old saying goes, “the eyes are the window to the soul”.

According to psychologists, they’re also a pretty good window into whether someone’s telling the truth.

When engaged in a conversation, people often maintain a certain amount of eye contact—it’s a sign of interest and engagement.

However, when that balance shifts too far one way or the other, it could be a sign of deceit.

For instance, if someone is avoiding eye contact altogether, it might be because they’re feeling guilty about not telling the truth.

Conversely, if they’re maintaining an unusually high amount of eye contact, it could be an attempt to convince you of their honesty.

Pay close attention to those peepers, they might just be giving the game away!

2) The case of the disappearing lips

Now this one’s a little strange, but stick with me.

Have you ever noticed someone’s lips thinning or even disappearing when they’re not being completely honest? I’ve seen it firsthand.

I remember once being in a meeting where we were discussing potential marketing strategies.

One colleague suggested a plan that seemed a bit too good to be true.

I glanced over at him, and his lips had thinned to the point they were barely visible.

Later, it turned out he had exaggerated some of the projected outcomes.

I couldn’t help but think back to that moment and the seemingly minor change in his expression.

The next time you’re suspecting someone’s bluffing, keep an eye out for those disappearing lips!

3) The nervous twitch

Let’s be real here: Lying isn’t comfortable.

Lying is a stressful act and our bodies have a rather inconvenient way of expressing that stress.

I’m talking about those involuntary twitches that can pop up when someone is fibbing.

Maybe it’s a subtle eye twitch, or a small jerk of the hand.

These micro-expressions can be indicators that all is not as it seems.

I’ve been in situations where I’ve spotted these nervous tics in people.

It doesn’t make for a pleasant confrontation, but it’s better to face the truth than live in ignorance.

While spotting these twitches can be challenging due to their fleeting nature, being aware of them gives you a valuable tool in your truth-detecting arsenal.

4) Fidgeting fingers

We all have our nervous habits, right?

For me, it’s tapping my fingers on any available surface, but did you know that these habits can escalate when we’re not being truthful?

That’s right: Increased fidgeting, especially with the fingers or hands, can be a tell-tale sign of dishonesty.

Perhaps it’s a subconscious attempt to distract from the lie or just a symptom of the stress that lying induces.

I recall a time when a friend of mine was spinning an elaborate tale, all the while twisting a ring on her finger—something she rarely does.

Later, it turned out the tale was just that—a tale.

Keep an eye out for those restless hands; they might be trying to tell you something!

5) The excessive nodder

Here’s something that might surprise you.

Have you ever noticed someone nodding excessively while speaking?

You might think they’re just being agreeable, but it could be a sign of dishonesty.

Counterintuitive, right? We usually associate nodding with agreement or understanding.

But when someone is lying, they might nod excessively to convince you—and themselves—that what they’re saying is true.

Remember the famous experiment by psychologist Dr. Albert Mehrabian?

He found that only 7% of communication is verbal and the rest are nonverbal cues, like body language.

The next time you encounter an excessive nodder, take a moment to ask yourself: Are they really agreeing, or could they be hiding something?

6) The defensive posture

Body language is a powerful communicator, and one of the most telling signs of dishonesty can be a sudden shift to a defensive posture.

This might look like crossed arms, leaning away, or creating physical barriers with objects.

It’s as if the body is instinctively preparing to protect itself from the backlash of the lie.

7) Shifting feet

Alright, let’s get to the last sign.

This one might seem a bit odd, but it’s pretty revealing.

It’s all about the feet—yes, you read that right.

Have you ever noticed someone constantly shifting their feet while speaking?

I have, and it turns out it wasn’t just restlessness.

According to body language experts, our feet often express our desire to escape an uncomfortable situation—like telling a lie.

When someone’s feet are constantly in motion while they’re spinning a tale, it could be their subconscious desire to literally “take flight”.

When you’re questioning someone’s honesty, make sure to take a peek at their feet—you might just find your answer there!