Chronic liars are a lot more present in this world than you think. Just because you haven’t caught them yet doesn’t mean they’re not right in front of you.

Whether someone in your life is a pathological or even compulsive liar they are still lying on a chronic level, and you need to be aware of the truth behind their ways. These kinds of people use their lies to trick and manipulate others, and some of them are very good at it. The more you’re aware of their tactics, the easier they become to spot.

For those looking to delve deeper into the psychology of lying, “Liespotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception” by Pamela Meyer is an insightful read. This book offers practical advice on how to spot deception and understand the underlying reasons for it.

Below, I am going to go over some phrases that chronic liars tend to use and why they use them specifically. Sure, some of these phrases might seem harmless, but when a lie is behind them, they are quite an issue. Recognize these things in those around you so that you can better protect yourself.

7 Common Phrases Chronic Liars Use To Deceive and Manipulate:

1. “I can’t remember.”

If someone can’t remember something that just happened, there is usually a reason for that. They remember, but they just don’t want you to know the details. By dismissing things in this manner, they are avoiding talking about them.

2. “It’s because of ____.”

Chronic liars are always working to make excuses for themselves. They go out of their way to make sure they have their stories straight. While it might not make sense to everyone else, they have it all planned out inside their own minds.

To sharpen your memory and cognitive skills, making it harder for others to deceive you, consider “The Memory Book: The Classic Guide to Improving Your Memory at Work, at School, and at Play” by Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas. This guide provides techniques to enhance your memory, aiding you in recalling important details in conversations.

3. “Do you really think I would do something like that?”

This is their way of dismissing you, and they do this to make you question whether or not you should be questioning them. You are your own person, and you can spot things when they’re not quite right, trust your gut.

4. “Can’t you think of something better to do?”

When a chronic liar brings this phrase out, it is their way of shutting you down. They want you to think you’re taking things too far and causing too much of a stir. While you’re right in your concerns, they want you to think that you’re not.

5. “I’m just trying to be honest…”

They might say they are trying to be honest, but that’s the opposite of what is happening. Honesty isn’t something that a person should have to try so hard for, it should come naturally.

If you’re interested in understanding more about personal responsibility and self-awareness, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life” by Mark Manson offers a refreshing perspective on accountability and honesty.

6. “How can you doubt me like this?”

This is another way of trying to change the subject and move on from the conversation entirely. This turns things on you and makes room for them to attack you and make you feel bad for doubting them. Sometimes it’s important to doubt those around you, depending on the situation.

7. “I never ____.”

While they might not claim that they would ever do something like this, if they did, then they did. You shouldn’t let them try to fight through the facts. If you know they did something, don’t let them try to win anything over on you.