Let’s assume that you’re not feeling well and your sweet neighbor is being more chatty than usual. Now you’re definitely not looking forward to a 20-minute drawn-out conversation about their gardening achievements so what can you do to get out of this situation?

Well, you could tell the kind neighbor to stop bothering you but that would be pretty rude, right? Instead, you’ll simply make up a fictional story as an excuse and tell them that you left the tea on the stove by mistake or that you think someone is calling you on your phone.

Pexels | A little white lie never did hurt anyone

Excuses like these will quickly end the conversation without anyone’s feelings getting hurt. These simple lies don’t hold any ill-intention but they do have other hidden meanings.

So, here are some common lies we are in the habit of telling and the meaning behind them.

1. ‘I’m Fine’

Whether it’s to hide your disappointment or to not disclose how you’re really feeling, almost everyone has used this lie at least once in their lifetime. Some people find it easier to avoid having ‘the discussion’ altogether rather than having a discussion and clearing the air in the midst of all of the emotion.

Pexels | ‘I’m Fine’ means stop bothering me

2. ‘I Gotta Go’

Ever found yourself caught up in a boring conversation and desperately looking for a way out so you can do something else instead? Well, age-old phrases like ‘I gotta go’ just might do the trick.  It’s a seemingly harmless lie that instantly ends conversations without making things awkward.

3. ‘Just Kidding’

Have you ever made a statement in a group setting and received odd, bewildered stares from your friends? Chances are, you’ve probably offended someone without even realizing it. The best way to save face is to say something along the lines of, ‘just kidding.’ Not only will lighten up the mood of the group but you’ll probably get away scot-free for your poor choice of words too.

4. ‘I’m Just Five minutes Away’

Come on, you’ve just set one foot out of your front door and you’re already telling your friend, ‘I’m just five minutes away.’ For the other party who is already at the address and waiting for you, it’s going be a very long ‘five-minute’ wait, but it is easier to lie and have your friends give you an earful for being late upon your arrival.

Pexels | 5 minutes NEVER means 5 minutes

5. ‘I Love It’

Remember that time you were opening your Christmas presents in front of the whole family and saw that you’d gotten one of those ugly Christmas sweaters again? While your grandmother patiently waits for a joyful response, you are thinking to yourself, what would be a reasonable reaction? You can’t tell her that you hate it—after all, she’s your grandmother and she would have spent hours upon hours lovingly knitting it for you. So, like any other loving grandkid, you tell her that you absolutely love it, even if you don’t like it even one bit.

These are some commonly spoken lies we’ve all gotten into a habit of telling. How many of these lies do you tell on the daily?