When someone has a guilty secret, their behavior usually gives it away. Subtle body language or an unusual shift in habits are telltale signs that something’s being kept under wraps. These actions might seem harmless on the surface, but they can reveal more than the person intends.
Here are the obvious signs that someone’s trying to hide something they don’t want you to know about.
Avoiding Eye Contact
When someone’s got something to hide, they might avoid looking directly at you to keep from giving away their emotions. A lack of eye contact often signals discomfort, guilt, or dishonesty. They will glance around the room or focus intently on an object instead.
This evasive behavior is a subconscious way of distancing themselves from the conversation. It’s not always a sure sign of deception, but it’s often a red flag.
Changing the Subject Abruptly
Deflection is a classic tactic for hiding the truth. If someone abruptly changes the subject when a sensitive topic comes up, it could mean they’re uncomfortable or trying to avoid further probing. They might laugh it off, ask an unrelated question, or steer the focus onto you.
Giving Vague Answers
People with something to hide often rely on vague language to avoid getting caught out. Instead of giving direct or detailed responses, they will stick to generalities like “I don’t know” or “I guess so.” This can be a way to dodge follow-up questions or scrutiny.
Pay attention to how consistently they avoid clarity, because too many vague answers can indicate there’s more to the story than they’re letting on.
Acting Overly Defensive
A defensive reaction to a simple question is often a sign that someone feels cornered. If they lash out, accuse you of prying, or seem unusually sensitive, it’s probably because they’re trying to protect a secret. Defensiveness isn’t always tied to dishonesty, but it’s worth noting.
Fidgeting or Nervous Movements
Body language can speak volumes when someone’s hiding something. Fidgeting with their hands, tapping their feet, or adjusting their clothing excessively indicates anxiety or discomfort. It’s a common indicator when combined with other subtle cues like avoiding questions or acting evasive.
Overexplaining
Someone with a guilty secret often provides too much information in an attempt to seem convincing. Instead of answering a question simply, they might go into unnecessary detail or offer explanations you didn’t ask for.
This thoroughness can be genuine and suggest nervousness, but if the overexplaining feels rehearsed it’s likely a clue that something is being concealed.
Avoiding Personal Questions
The person who’s hiding something will try to steer the conversation away from themselves. If they dodge personal questions or give short, dismissive answers, it could be a sign they’re not being entirely truthful. They might deflect the conversation to a safer topic or make you feel guilty for asking, because respecting privacy is important.
Changing Their Routine
Sudden shifts in behavior or habits can raise suspicions. If someone starts acting differently, like staying out late, avoiding certain places, or skipping activities they used to enjoy, it’s a signal they could be trying to cover something up. These changes can be subtle at first but often stand out over time.
Being Overly Friendly
Is someone being too kind to be true? Overcompensating with excessive kindness or friendliness can be a way to divert attention. They may try to keep you on their good side to avoid suspicion and prevent you from uncovering their secret. This could include offering unsolicited compliments, gifts, or favors. Overly ingratiating behavior raises suspicions, even though genuine kindness is always welcome.
Avoiding Specific Topics
When a conversation touches upon what they are trying to hide, the person with something to hide will often visibly tense up, change the subject, or even leave the room. They will want to steer clear of certain topics when they arise.
Spotting this pattern of topic avoidance can help you identify when someone is withholding information.
Offering Forced Smiles
A fake smile is a subtle indicator that someone is uncomfortable or hiding something. Genuine smiles involve the eyes and appear naturally, while forced ones often seem stiff or rehearsed. If someone’s facial expressions don’t match their words or the situation, it’s a signal they’re trying to cover up how they really feel.
Paying attention to these small inconsistencies can reveal when someone is being less than honest.
Overreacting to Small Issues
A common way to deflect attention from delicate subjects is to react dramatically to minor problems. If someone reacts dramatically and blows up small inconveniences out of proportion, it could be because they’re feeling stressed or guilty about something unrelated. This behavior is intended to shift the focus away from whatever they’re hiding.
Hesitating Before Answering
Awkward pauses or hesitations before answering questions could mean someone’s fabricating their response. They could need extra time to think of a convincing answer or to avoid revealing too much.
Not every pause is a sign of dishonesty, but if the hesitation is paired with vague answers or overexplaining it suggests they’re trying to hide something. These subtle delays can help you spot when something doesn’t add up.
Making Excuses Frequently
Excuses often become their go-to defense when someone is hiding something. They might frequently explain away inconsistencies, or offer reasons for suspicious behavior. Over time, these excuses can start to feel repetitive or overly rehearsed.
While everyone makes excuses occasionally, a pattern of doing so without clear evidence to back it up suggests they’re trying to keep something under wraps.
Avoiding Group Settings
The person with something to hide will usually avoid group situations because their secret is more likely to be exposed. The more people present, the greater the chances of conflicting stories or uncomfortable questions. They might isolate themselves, cancel plans, or prefer one-on-one interactions where they feel more in control. This is a common tactic for avoiding scrutiny.
Deflecting With Humor
Jokes or humor to deflect serious questions is often a way to avoid giving a straight answer. If someone laughs off concerns or turns a pointed question into a joke, it could signal they’re uncomfortable addressing the topic. Repeated deflection through jokes makes an underlying avoidance more likely.
Being Overly Private
Extreme secrecy or reluctance to share even basic information can be a red flag. If someone suddenly becomes more private than usual, it suggests they’re trying to hide something. This could include locking their phone, avoiding social media, or refusing to discuss their day-to-day activities.
Acting Too Perfect
When someone is trying to hide something, they might go out of their way to appear flawless. Be suspicious if they present an overly polished version of themselves, avoiding any hint of vulnerability or imperfection.