Hypocritical people have a way of twisting words to justify their behaviour while holding everyone else to a completely different standard.
They expect rules to apply to everyone except themselves, bending situations to fit their own interests. Their words might sound reasonable at first, but when you look closer, they reveal a pattern of double standards. They know exactly how to deflect blame, avoid accountability, and make excuses when it suits them. Here are some of the things you’re likely to hear come out of their mouths on a regular basis.
1. “Do as I say, not as I do.”
This one is a classic. Hypocrites love setting rules for other people while completely ignoring them in their own lives. They’ll lecture about responsibility, honesty, or discipline, but when it’s their turn to follow through, suddenly, there’s an excuse. They expect everyone else to follow certain standards while giving themselves unlimited leeway. They see themselves as the exception to their own advice. If questioned, they’ll brush it off with a vague excuse or act like their situation is somehow different. The message is clear: the rules only apply when it’s convenient for them, and they have no intention of living by the expectations they impose on everyone else.
2. “I’m just being honest.”
They say this right after being unnecessarily harsh or rude, acting as if honesty is an excuse to be disrespectful. Yet, when someone else is honest with them, they suddenly find it ‘offensive’ or ‘inappropriate.’ They want the freedom to say whatever they want, but they don’t want to hear any uncomfortable truths in return. The truth is, they don’t actually want honesty; they want control over the conversation. When people call them out, they’ll either get defensive or act like they’re being attacked. In their world, ‘honesty’ is just another tool to justify their behaviour, and they expect other people to accept it without question.
3. “You’re overreacting.”
When they upset someone, they never take responsibility. Instead, they turn the blame around, making the other person feel dramatic for having a valid reaction. If someone else had done the same thing to them, though, they’d be furious. They make people feel like their feelings aren’t valid, while expecting full understanding when they’re the ones who are upset. It’s a way of dodging accountability. Rather than addressing the problem, they make it about the other person’s reaction. This lets them avoid real conversations while keeping the focus off their own actions, ensuring they never have to take responsibility for the impact of their words.
4. “That’s different.”
If they call someone out for something but later do the exact same thing, they’ll insist their situation isn’t the same. They’ll create some elaborate reasoning for why it was okay when they did it, but unacceptable when someone else did. Their ability to twist situations to fit their own narrative is almost impressive. There’s always some excuse — context, circumstances, or something that apparently makes their case unique. No matter how similar the situation is, they’ll twist the narrative until it fits their double standard. They never acknowledge that they’re applying two different sets of rules depending on who’s involved.
5. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
They downplay their mistakes, but when other people mess up, it suddenly becomes unacceptable. If they forget an important date, miss a deadline, or break a promise, it’s brushed off as minor. But if the roles were reversed, they’d hold onto it for weeks, refusing to let it go. Hypocrites pick and choose what matters based on who is at fault. When they mess up, it’s not serious. When other people do, it’s an issue worth dragging out. The inconsistency is obvious to everyone but them, yet they will continue to pretend like there’s no difference in how they handle things.
6. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
They’ll say something rude, passive-aggressive, or insulting and then act shocked when it doesn’t go over well. Rather than apologising, they try to convince people they ‘misunderstood’ what was said, putting the blame on the listener. It’s their way of dodging accountability while making people question their own feelings. This is just a way to backtrack without taking responsibility. Instead of owning up to what they said, they make the other person feel like they’re overthinking. They want the freedom to say what they want without ever having to deal with the consequences of their words.
7. “You’re too sensitive.”
They love dismissing other people’s emotions while expecting full understanding when they’re upset. They’ll say something hurtful, and if the other person reacts, they act like they’re the problem for taking it too personally. It’s a way to shift the blame instead of acknowledging their own behaviour. However, when the tables are turned, they expect full sympathy and care. The issue isn’t about sensitivity; it’s about them not wanting to deal with the impact of their words. They want the freedom to be offensive without consequences, while still demanding kindness from everyone else.
8. “I never said that.”
When confronted about something they’ve clearly said, they’ll deny it ever happened. Even if there’s proof, they’ll insist it was taken out of context or twisted. It’s a way to rewrite history and make the other person doubt their own memory. Gaslighting is a common tactic for hypocrites. Rather than owning their words, they rewrite the past to suit their version of events. They count on people second-guessing themselves instead of standing their ground, making it easier for them to manipulate situations in their favour.
9. “That’s just the way I am.”
Instead of taking responsibility for their behaviour, they act like it’s set in stone. They’ll use this phrase to justify rudeness, selfishness, or lack of effort in relationships. It’s their way of avoiding self-improvement while expecting other people to adjust around them. But when other people do things they don’t like, they expect immediate change. The idea that people should grow and improve only applies when it benefits them. If personal growth is on the table, they want nothing to do with it.
10. “I don’t have time for drama.”
They say this as if they’re above conflict, but in reality, they’re often the ones stirring it up. They’ll gossip, create tension, and play mind games, then act completely shocked when people react to the chaos they’ve caused. They pretend they’re detached while keeping one foot in the drama. This is just a way to avoid accountability. They claim they ‘hate drama’ but somehow always seem to be in the middle of it. The truth is, they just don’t like when the spotlight is on them, and they’ll do whatever it takes to shift blame elsewhere.
11. “I was just joking.”
They say something insulting or inappropriate, and when it doesn’t go over well, they hide behind humour. Instead of apologising, they act like the other person is uptight for not laughing along. It’s a way of saying whatever they want while avoiding any consequences. Humour can be a disguise for passive-aggression. Hypocrites use it as a shield to say what they really think while pretending it’s harmless. If questioned, they’ll flip the script and act like the other person is the one with the problem. They want to be able to dish it out but never take it.
12. “I’m not like other people.”
They believe the rules that apply to everyone else shouldn’t apply to them. Whether it’s showing up on time, following through on promises, or respecting boundaries, they think they deserve special treatment. They expect flexibility for themselves while enforcing strict expectations on other people. They see themselves as an exception, not part of the group. However, they still expect everyone else to follow the rules without question. Their double standard is obvious to everyone except them, and they’ll argue endlessly about why they should be treated differently.
13. “You’re just jealous.”
If someone disagrees with them, instead of addressing the issue, they frame it as envy. They assume that any pushback must be coming from a place of insecurity rather than a valid point. This lets them dismiss criticism without ever having to reflect on their own actions. By using this phrase, they avoid self-reflection. Instead of considering whether they might be in the wrong, they shut down criticism by making it about the other person. It’s an easy way to dismiss valid concerns without engaging in an actual discussion, letting them keep their ego intact.
14. “You don’t understand my situation.”
They expect everyone to deal with their problems, but when it’s their turn to step up, suddenly, things are ‘complicated.’ They’ll ask for support but won’t offer the same in return. Somehow, their struggles are always too unique for anyone else to understand. They use this as a get-out-of-responsibility card. No matter how similar someone’s experience is, they’ll insist theirs is completely different. The goal is to excuse themselves while still holding other people accountable, ensuring they always receive support without ever having to give it.
15. “I don’t owe anyone anything.”
They use this when they don’t want to put in effort but still expect other people to show up for them. It’s their way of shutting down expectations without considering how their actions affect those around them. They act like independence means never having to consider other people’s needs. Yet, when they need something, they fully expect people to be there. They thrive on one-sided relationships where they take more than they give. The idea of mutual effort doesn’t seem to register, and they only recognise obligations when they benefit from them.
16. “It’s not my fault.”
Blame is never on them. No matter what happens, they always have an excuse or someone else to pin it on. Taking responsibility doesn’t fit their narrative, and they’ll go to great lengths to make sure they never have to admit fault. If things go right, they’ll take credit. If things go wrong, they’ll shift the blame as quickly as possible. Accountability is a concept that only applies to other people, never to them. Even when caught red-handed, they’ll find a way to make it someone else’s problem.
