10 Phrases Only Shifty, Untrustworthy People Tend To Use

If someone says these things, you probably shouldn’t trust them.

A person with long brown hair and a mustache is looking directly at the camera. They are wearing a green shirt and have a neutral expression. The background is softly blurred.

Trustworthiness is a large part of a person’s character (or lack thereof). While a person’s actions will often quite clearly indicate how much you should trust them, their words can also provide some big clues as to whether they can be relied upon. The following phrases usually come from the mouths of people who are more than a little bit shifty.

1. “Trust me, I would never lie to you.”

A woman in a red tank top and jeans gestures with her hands while talking to another person on a sunny patio. The background features a metal railing and a building.

A direct appeal to trust is one way that untrustworthy people control the flow of information. They don’t want to answer questions meaningfully because it would provide details that don’t line up and that might expose their lies. This kind of statement is appealing to your trust, to ask for your blind faith in the matter. People who are honest rarely do this. They will explain to you what’s going on and why if you ask for clarification.

2. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

Two women are sitting at a wooden table in a cozy indoor setting with lots of plants. They are engaged in conversation, with an open book on the table. The woman facing the camera has long hair and is smiling while gesturing with her hands.

People don’t always say the right or kind things. They’re flawed creatures that sometimes speak poorly out of anger. However, this phrase can also be used to manipulate you or the situation. It’s a way for the speaker to avoid accountability for something they said that you don’t like. Rather than taking responsibility and apologizing, they instead look to minimize their statement and your feelings.

3. “No one will ever know.”

Two women are having an animated conversation outside a modern glass building. The woman on the left gestures expressively with a smile, while the woman on the right listens attentively, her back facing the camera.

Any time you hear the phrase “No one will ever know,” you can be assured that the action you’re about to take is something other people shouldn’t know. Meaning, it’s some sketchy, unethical, or otherwise questionable activity that you shouldn’t do. Furthermore, participating in activities that other people shouldn’t know provides your counterpart with leverage to use against you later.

4. “Why would I lie about that?”

Two women in colorful jackets are walking and conversing in a park surrounded by autumn trees. The woman on the right is gesturing with her hands, and both appear to be enjoying their conversation.

People lie about everything, all the time, particularly when it comes to protecting themselves or their self-interests. By using this phrase, they are attempting to appeal to whatever trust and faith you have in them so that you won’t ask further questions. If you do ask further questions, there’s a good chance you’ll find lies and manipulation. Honest people can explain themselves without worry.

5. “I hate drama but…”

A close-up of a person partially covering their mouth with their hand, suggesting a gesture of silence or contemplation. The person is wearing a dark shirt, and the background is blurred, drawing attention to the hand and facial expression.

It seems like plenty of people who hate drama sure do like to have their noses in it. A lot of people look at the drama and suffering of others as their personal entertainment. Instead of owning it, and their bad behavior, they try to minimize it with statements like these. They may not like drama when it pulls them in, but they have no problem spreading gossip or stirring the pot for other people.

6. “You’re overthinking this.”

Two women are engaged in a conversation. One holds a tablet while gesturing, wearing a white shirt and glasses. The other, in a gray sleeveless top and glasses, listens attentively. They appear to be in a modern indoor setting.

Now, sometimes we can end up overthinking and finding connections that aren’t there. However, it’s worth exploring to see where the connections actually are. Again, an honest person will be open to answering questions and helping you understand. The use of this phrase becomes suspicious when it’s happening regularly. In that case, it’s likely because there is something else going on.

7. “I was just joking!”

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a red sweater, stands looking pensive in a kitchen. A man in the background is slightly out of focus with gray hair, wearing a blue shirt, appears to be talking, gesturing with one hand.

Plenty of people don’t want to take responsibility for what they say or their own crappy beliefs. One of the most common examples is someone making a racist, sexist, or otherwise problematic joke. They think they’re in safe company until someone takes offense, then try to backpedal their way out of it so they don’t have to take responsibility. After all, why are you so sensitive that you can’t take a joke?

8. “You wouldn’t understand.”

A man in glasses and a blue shirt is gesturing while talking to a woman with short hair in an office setting. They are seated at a table with coffee mugs, documents, and colorful pens in the foreground.

It is the speaker’s responsibility to make themselves understood. It’s a lazy excuse to get out of meaningful communication and likely to prevent you from seeing the truth. They could explain it, they could try to help you understand, but they’re choosing not to by shielding themselves with this phrase. It’s a way of manipulating and controlling the flow of information so you can’t draw a clear conclusion about a situation.

9. “Everybody does it.”

A bearded man in a plaid shirt is sitting on a desk, gesturing with his hands while talking. Two people are listening to him attentively. The scene is set in a well-lit office space with a window in the background.

People often project. There’s a good chance the person is projecting their own behavior when they claim that everyone else is doing it. If they’re trying to convince you with this phrase, it means that they are perfectly okay with whatever shady thing they want you to be a part of. Plus, it’s just a blanket statement. Sure, some people do it, but it’s unlikely that even a simple majority do.

10. “I swear I didn’t do it!”

Two people are sitting at a wooden table in a conversation. The woman, wearing a light sweater, appears to be speaking with an expressive gesture, while the man, with curly hair, listens attentively. The setting is a cozy indoor space.

This phrase is another in the arsenal of people who don’t want to take responsibility for their actions. In many cases, this is a repeat behavior from someone who is just insecure. They can’t possibly admit they’re wrong or they are afraid of the consequences of doing wrong. And you know they understood that they were doing wrong otherwise they wouldn’t so vehemently deny it.