Smarter Living
Get to know the people around you with these clever, believable, and downright bizarre ideas.
By Carrie Weisman
July 11, 2023
By Carrie Weisman
July 11, 2023
Need a way to break the ice? Or just something to do during another boring party? Getting the conversation flowing may be easier than you think. And the best part? It doesn't cost any money or require any props. "Two Truths and a Lie" is a great game to introduce into any situation where you want to get to know the people around you just a little bit better. It's also a license to be silly, social, and totally candid, even with new friends. Keep reading to learn how to play and for some ideas you can use during the game.
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How Does It Work?
It's all there in the name. When it's your turn, you've got to come up with three statements about yourself: two truths and one lie. The other players must work together to figure out which statement is not true. Simple—but you still want to inject some strategy into the game. Telling an obvious lie will bring the game to an end prematurely. Plus, the more challenging your statements are, the more fun it is for the rest of the group.
"Two Truths and a Lie" Game Strategies
The rules of the game are simple, but execution can be a bit more complicated. Check out the tips below before you get started. We'll teach you how to present your claims in such a way that the group won't immediately know what's real and what's fake.
Make your lies believable and the truths unbelievable.
A good lie is believable, and a good truth has the potential to sound fake. You don't need to think too far outside of the box when it comes to deceiving the group. Your lies can be as mundane as "I like cold pizza." When it comes to your truths, just think of bizarre things that have taken place in your past and pepper them into the game. Knowing that everyone has some strange stories tucked away, the group will have a hard time deciphering what's what.
Maintain your poker face.
Don't let your facial expressions give you away. It's important to maintain a poker face when your turn rolls around. Of course, you're bound to encounter a few funny moments throughout the game, so it is OK to crack a smile. You just want to make sure you're presenting each of your statements with the same demeanor.
Don't over-explain—and change up your order.
If you're playing multiple rounds, then it's important not to fall into a pattern. If you consistently list your lie last, then the rest of the players will pick up on that. You also don't want to over-explain your claims. You might find that you're tempted to offer more details about your statements than is necessary. Think about what you're saying and how it might come across to the other players.
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"Two Truths and a Lie" Ideas About Your Skills
- I was named my high school's spelling bee champion.
- I know how to play chess.
- I can speak three languages fluently.
- I've been taking salsa dancing classes for the past year.
- I am a trained scuba diver.
- I am a marathon runner.
- I'm really good at skipping rocks.
- I can drive a stick shift.
- I can yo-yo.
- I am a published author.
- I learned how to speak Elvish after reading The Lord of the Rings.
- I have over 40 plants in my house/apartment.
- I trained my cat to use the toilet.
- I can juggle up to five items at a time.
- I skipped a grade in middle school.
- I can hold my breath underwater for two minutes.
- I have my pilot's license.
- I am a speed reader.
- I've won several chess tournaments.
- I can always tell when someone is telling a lie.
"Two Truths and a Lie" Examples About Your Family
- I share the same middle name with my mother.
- I am the first person in my family to graduate high school.
- I'm related to a very famous person.
- I have five siblings.
- I am a great-great grandniece/grandnephew of Abraham Lincoln.
- My parents wouldn't let me have a dog, so we had a pet turtle.
- When I was a baby, my brother cut all of my hair off.
- My father played basketball for UNC.
- I have 17 first cousins.
- My father was in the Marines.
- My dad grew up without indoor plumbing.
- My family came over on the Mayflower.
- My older sister is my half-sister.
- I still cut my sister's hair so she doesn't have to spend money at the salon.
- I am the youngest of six siblings.
- My mother has worked for the same company for 30 years.
- Both of my parents are only children, so I don't have any first cousins, aunts, or uncles.
- My grandmother is a twin.
- My mother is incredibly superstitious.
- I have two brothers.
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Believable Lies That Are Totally Random
- I have two pet dogs.
- I used to date a very famous tennis player.
- I still own a huge collection of Beanie Babies.
- I speak Spanish.
- I have never dyed my hair.
- I have an Etsy shop.
- I've never been to Disney World.
- I have three cats.
- My favorite animal is the platypus.
- I don't know how to write in cursive.
- I'm color-blind.
- I don't watch television.
- I make my bed every day.
- I've never broken a bone.
- My birthday falls on February 29.
- I have a selfie with Taylor Swift on my phone.
- I've never gotten a speeding ticket.
- I still sleep with the stuffed teddy bear I was given as a kid.
- I adopted two dogs from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
- I've never been on a roller coaster.
Funny "Two Truths and a Lie" Ideas
- I am deathly afraid of clowns.
- I once lost my pet lizard at work.
- My birth weight broke the hospital record.
- I have a tattoo of a potato.
- I take a bubble bath every night.
- I frequent nude beaches.
- I have a third nipple.
- My high school diploma read, "Mr. ________" when it should have read "Ms. ________."
- My freckles aren't real, they're makeup.
- My gynecologist added me on LinkedIn.
- One time my friend pushed me over and broke my leg.
- I dated the guy who served as the inspiration for Tommy Pickles.
- I have an ant colony at home.
- My last girlfriend/boyfriend was six years younger than me.
- I can't tell my left from my right.
- Whenever I walk up or down stairs, my knees pop.
- No one has ever asked me to be a bridesmaid.
- I once burped in front of the president.
- I am distantly related to a Spice Girl.
- I once had a cyst that grew both eyes and hair.
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Plausible-Sounding Statements About Food
- I hate spicy food.
- KFC is my favorite fast-food chain.
- I only eat gluten-free options.
- I drink hot sauce.
- I don't like mayonnaise.
- I don't eat leftovers.
- I once ate a can of dog food as a dare.
- I'm vegan.
- I've never tried fish.
- I hate cilantro.
- I'm extremely allergic to nuts.
- I prefer cold pizza.
- I once burnt my tongue so badly that I permanently damaged my ability to taste.
- I prefer warm water to ice water.
- I've eaten animal eyeballs before.
- I drink four cups of coffee a day.
- I once won first prize in an eating contest.
- I was drinking negroni sbagliatos before they got trendy.
- I eat spaghetti with no sauce.
- My favorite ice cream flavor is rum raisin.
Benefits of Playing
Playing "Two Truths and a Lie" comes with its fair share of benefits. Not only does it provide a fun way to pass the time, but it's also an excellent icebreaker. Think about it: the game requires you to offer up interesting tidbits from your past—things that would likely never come up in normal conversation. Not only are you getting to know the group better, but you're also getting to see how people behave in a more recreational setting.
How weird are the things they're saying? Are they capitalizing on shock value? Are they getting increasingly more competitive as the game goes on? These traits are all part of what makes us us, and where better to show that side of yourself than in the context of a friendly game? Finally, the game can be tailored to be played among any age group and in any environment, whether you're at work, online, or at brunch.
READ THIS NEXT: Trick Questions (With Answers!) That Will Completely Bend Your Mind.
Wrapping Up
That's it for our list of "Two Truths and a Lie" examples, but be sure to check back with us soon for even more fun. You can also sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss out on what's next!
Carrie Weisman
Carrie Weisman oversees all SEO efforts at Best Life. She specializes in content optimization and editorial marketing.Read more
Filed Under
Funny
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