12 Phrases That Let Everyone Know You're Not To Be Taken Seriously

Expect zero credibility if you use these phrases often.

Three friends are sitting outdoors at a restaurant table, enjoying food and drinks. Two women and a man engage in lively conversation. The table is filled with plates of food, and there is a sunny atmosphere with palm trees in the background.

We’ve all had those conversations where, no matter how hard we try, they don’t quite go as planned. Well, it might just be those little phrases you use that could be secretly sabotaging your street cred. Let’s look at some common phrases that could be making people take you less seriously than you deserve.

1. “Just kidding!” (after a serious statement)

Two women talking in a kitchen. One holds a mug, gesturing with her hand, while the other looks at her while holding a smartphone. A fruit basket and a glass of red juice are on the counter.

Whenever you say, “Just kidding!” after laying down some heavy truths, you’re essentially tossing your credibility out the window right when people start to buy in. You might think it softens the blow, but really, it just muddles your message. It leaves people wondering what parts of your spiel were actually genuine. Don’t be surprised if they start doubting everything you say.

2. “Whatever.”

A young woman sitting on a couch with her arms crossed and looking away while an older woman beside her seems to be speaking and gesturing. The scene appears to be a serious conversation in a living room setting.

Imagine you’ve just laid out your thoughts, and then someone hits you with a “Whatever.” That hurts, right? Now, think about using it yourself. Saying it shows you’re not really interested in the topic or the people involved, making it hard for anyone to take your input seriously. Worst of all, it’s a quick way to end any constructive conversation.

3. “I guess…”

Two women walking outside a modern glass building. One wears a gray dress and holds a tablet, while the other wears a black suit with a white blouse. They are conversing and appear businesslike.

Starting a sentence with “I guess…” tells everyone that you’re not confident and makes it easy for them to dismiss your opinion. Since it’s soft, it’s also pretty non-committal and a bit of a conversation killer if you’re aiming to come across as thoughtful and assertive. Each time you say it, you might as well be stepping back by allowing others to lead your narrative.

4. “It’s just my opinion, but…”

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.

Sure, prefacing your thoughts with “It’s just my opinion, but…” seems polite. In reality, it puts a big question mark over your conviction since it sounds like you’re not quite standing behind your words. If anything, it suggests that it’s okay for people to ignore or completely reject what you’re going to say. Do you really want to give other people that power?

5. “No offense, but…”

Two women sitting at a café table, engaged in conversation. One is holding a blue mug, the other a red mug. A man stands in the background taking an order, with menu boards on the wall behind them. Bright, casual setting.

Everyone’s heard “No offense, but…” before, and you may have even used it yourself. The truth is that this phrase can make you seem insensitive, and it often signals that you’re aware you’re crossing a line, but you’re choosing to do it anyway. If anything, it’s a huge red flag that only ever leads to tension and a sense of discomfort.

6. “I’m not sure, but…”

Two men in professional attire are having a conversation while standing on a bridge with a vintage-style lamp post. One man gestures with his hands, and they both appear engaged and smiling. The background shows a blurred building.

If your go-to is “I’m not sure, but…” you’re just underselling your own expertise and informed position. It shows people you have no confidence in yourself, which makes them doubt the validity of what you’re going to say. Stick to what you know! And if you don’t know, maybe it’s better to skip the guesswork so that people will take you seriously.

7. “You know what I mean?” (repeatedly)

Two professionals in business attire converse outside an office building with a glass facade. The man holds a newspaper, and both appear to be smiling. A tree is visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

The saying, “You know what I mean?” can be pretty annoying since it makes you look unsure and like you need constant validation. It interrupts the flow and weakens your authority, making your speech sound more like a plea for approval. If that wasn’t bad enough, it dilutes the impact of what you’re trying to tell people. You sound like you’re just stalling for time.

8. “Like, um…” (used frequently)

Two women are sitting indoors having a serious conversation. The woman on the left looks concerned, while the woman on the right gestures with her hands, appearing to explain something. Both are wearing light-colored sweaters.

Rely too much on “like” and “um,” and you might as well be broadcasting your nerves or lack of preparation to your audience. They’re fillers that clutter your speech and distract from your point. Not to mention, these words often make you seem less articulate than you likely are and stop your listeners from fully engaging with the things that you’re telling them.

9. “It’s not my job.”

Two men in suits engaged in conversation outside, with a blurred background of greenery and flowers. Both appear focused on the discussion.

There’s really no reason for anyone to dismiss a request or a need with “It’s not my job.” While it’s great to have boundaries, this phrase can make you seem unhelpful or even lazy, like you’re not willing to stretch a bit so that things run more smoothly. Anyone who says this isn’t a team player—they’re someone who cares a little too much about themselves.

10. “This might be stupid, but…”

A woman with curly hair and a white shirt sits at a table with an open notebook, conversing with a man with styled hair and a denim jacket. Both have smartphones on the table, and a small potted plant is in the center. They appear to be in a modern café.

Saying, “This might be stupid, but…” is a sure-fire way to set your thoughts up to fail. Why should anyone else believe in your thoughts if it sounds like you don’t? It’s self-sabotage at its finest, putting your ideas in the backseat before they even get a chance to drive. You’re prefacing your innovation with doubt when really you should own your creativity.

11. “It’s not fair.”

A woman and man are engaged in a serious conversation in an office setting. The woman, on the left, is gesturing with her hands, while the man, on the right, is responding with a focused expression and hand gestures. Both are dressed in business attire.

Whining about things with “It’s not fair,” especially in a professional setting, can paint you as immature or naive. The truth sucks, but life isn’t always about everything being split down the middle. Complaining about fairness suggests that you’re unable to grasp the bigger picture or deal with problems effectively. It’s better to focus on finding solutions or at least try to understand the reasons behind decisions.

12. “Trust me.” (without basis)

Two women are sitting on a black leather sofa having a conversation. They are both wearing dark blazers, and one is gesturing with her hands. The setting appears to be a professional environment.

We build our sense of trust on evidence and consistency, not just assurances, which is why “Trust me” is so useless. Without a solid track record or data to back up your claim, it’s just a hollow and unfounded phrase. Instead, you should back up your assurances with facts, which can turn an empty promise into a statement worth believing.