Common Excuses Cheaters Use (and What They Really Mean)

When someone’s hiding something, the excuses usually come before the truth. If you’ve been hearing vague, inconsistent, or oddly defensive explanations, it’s often more than bad communication—it’s a pattern.

✅ 1. “You’re Overreacting”

One of the oldest deflection tactics in the book. When someone is hiding something, they’ll often try to shift the focus onto you—making you feel like you’re paranoid or imagining things.

✅ 2. “I’ve Just Been Busy”

Everyone gets busy, but when this becomes a default excuse for skipped plans, late nights, or emotional distance, it’s worth a second look—especially if they never used to be “too busy” before.

✅ 3. “It’s Nothing, You’re Reading Into It”

If you question a message, phone call, or behavior and the response is vague dismissal, that’s often a sign they don’t want to explain—or can’t without revealing something they’d rather keep hidden.

✅ 4. “That’s Just a Friend”

This one can be true—but when paired with secrecy, deleted messages, or defensive behavior, it can mean more. Pay attention to patterns, not just the words.

✅ 5. “I Didn’t Tell You Because I Knew You’d Be Upset”

Translation: I knew it was wrong, and I didn’t want to deal with the fallout. This is a classic excuse to justify lying by shifting the blame onto your potential reaction.

📝 Final Thoughts

Excuses are a form of protection—sometimes for legitimate reasons, but often because there’s something to hide. If the words don’t match the actions, or the answers never really answer your questions, it may be time to look closer.

Because sometimes, you really do need to sleuth it out.

No one hides everything perfectly—you just need to know where to look.

Think like a pro. Investigate smarter.