If You Think Someone's Lying To You, Look For These Clues From Our Body Language Expert

If you're like us, you've probably wished, at least once, that you could tell when someone was lying to you. Human interactions are complex and constant, showing up in everything from dating to job interviews and awkward family dinners. So, being able to spot a lie would undeniably be an advantage. That's where the pros come in. Glam spoke exclusively with Blanca Cobb, a body language expert with a master's degree in psychology, who's breaking down some subtle signs people miss when someone is bending the truth.

Our first question was obvious: Is it actually possible to tell if someone is lying just from their body language? Cobb's reply is clear and nuanced, and it debunks many body-language myths. "There's no one universal body language sign that proves that someone is lying," she says. "One person could get jittery while another person becomes motionless while lying. What's most important when determining deception is to establish a person's baseline behavior." In other words, your best shot is knowing how someone typically acts. Because of this, it's much easier to catch a friend in a fib than a first date. If you're going out with a stranger, you might have to rely on the unexpected red flag that helps spot a lying date — namely, when they're obsessed with impressing you.

On the other hand, if you're gauging someone you know, Cobb suggests observing how they behave when they're not stressed. Understanding this baseline is what helps you notice when something shifts. But does that mean it's impossible to catch a stranger in a lie? Not quite. According to Cobb, there are a few common indicators of possible deception, and once you know them, you'll analyze conversations differently.

Body language is an essential part of communication. Even if we don't always realize it, we constantly send and interpret messages through it, from silent cues that show someone is attracted to you to smiling when we're happy. According to expert Blanca Cobb, this often-overlooked form of communication can also help us spot deception. "When someone lies, their mind works overtime, keeping track of the lie, monitoring your reaction, and managing their own internal stress," she explains.

All that mental juggling is stressful, and many people don't manage it well. As a result, the tension "leaks out as nervous energy," according to Cobb. That's when mismatches between words and body language start to show. For example, someone might say, "I'm really happy for you," while shaking their head, fidgeting, or freezing up. That kind of disconnect is a classic red flag.

During our exclusive chat, Cobb adds that gestures are another important thing to watch. "Usually, when someone's telling the truth, their hands and words work together. Gestures usually show up just before or as they're talking. But if the gesture comes after the words, then it's a red flag," she explains.

Blanca Cobb exclusively tells Glam that self-soothing gestures can also be signs of untruthfulness. These movements are typically small, but people use them to comfort themselves when they're feeling stressed or anxious. And sometimes, that stress comes from lying. "Sometimes after telling a lie, people will instinctively bring their hand to their mouth to either briefly touch or partially cover their lips," she says. According to Cobb, this is "a subconscious way to try to take back what they said or stop the lie from coming out."

Cobb also points to ear-tugging as a common self-soothing gesture. She explains that people who lie sometimes "lightly pull or rub their ear," adding, "Lying can create stress or anxiety, and a small self-soothing gesture like an ear tug can help release the tension. It's a subtle way the body tries to calm itself down." While these signs aren't definitive proof of lying, they can be meaningful when paired with your intuition. If you already suspect dishonesty and notice these behaviors, it might be worth digging deeper.

The good news is that even if your partner lied, there might be room for healing and growth — so long as you don't have big relationship issues that can't be fixed, that is. It'll take some work and a partner who is ready to change, but it's possible to fix a relationship with damaged trust.