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Oops, Did I Lie? The One Phrase Pathological Liars Always Use When Caught

How to spot a pathological liar and why their tricks won’t fool you (this time)

Alain Suppini
5 min readNov 7, 2024
Photo de Annie Spratt sur Unsplash

Pathological lying can feel like a slow-drip poison in relationships. You might suspect that something’s off, that their stories don’t quite add up, but proving it? That’s where the frustration begins. Even after you’ve laid out every bit of evidence, the pathological liar won’t just admit they’ve been caught. Instead, they rely on a few classic, manipulative responses to dodge accountability.

Here’s the truth about how they react when cornered — and what that says about their manipulation tactics.

What Sets Pathological Liars Apart?

First, it’s essential to understand what makes pathological liars different from people who lie occasionally. We all lie, at times: a white lie to dodge a boring event or an exaggeration to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. But these lies are generally specific and limited. With pathological liars, the game changes — they lie for the sake of lying. They weave stories out of habit, not necessity, and the truth often takes a back seat to the thrill of deception.

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Alain Suppini
Alain Suppini

Written by Alain Suppini

Anesthesiologist and Intensive Care Physician passionate about Holistic Medicine and Well-Being.

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