Lawyer Reveals the “Dead Giveaway” Word That Signals Someone’s Lying

Ever wondered if someone’s lying straight to your face? A US trial lawyer and communication expert says there’s one word that’s often a dead giveaway.

Jefferson Fisher, who appeared on Steven Bartlett’s podcast Diary of a CEO, shared some of the courtroom-tested tricks he uses to spot dishonesty — and how you can use them in everyday conversations.

The Red Flag Word

According to Fisher, liars often speak in extremes, leaning on words like “never” and “always.”

When asked if he was texting while driving, Fisher gave the example:

“No, I never text. Never text when I drive.”

Sounds convincing, right? But he says that overuse of absolute words like never is usually a signal someone isn’t being truthful.

Why It Stands Out

Fisher explained that liars tend to:

• Answer too quickly, without pausing to think or recall.

• Use extreme absolutes like “never” or “always.”

• Backtrack if you repeat their words back to them slowly.

For example, if you respond with: “You never text when you drive?” — the liar often retreats: “Well, I mean, sometimes I do… maybe, but hardly ever.”

How to Handle It

Fisher says when someone corners themselves, it’s best to give them an “out.” Something like: “If you were texting, it’s OK.” That way, the truth has space to come out.

More Than Just Courtroom Tricks

Beyond spotting lies, Fisher teaches communication skills through his own podcast, The Jefferson Fisher Podcast, and his book The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. His goal? To help people argue less and connect more — whether it’s in a courtroom, workplace, or your everyday chats.

👉 What do you think — have you ever caught someone out using “never” or “always”?