Common Excuses Used by Those Who Cheat: 10 Examples
If you suspect your partner might be cheating, you’re not alone—many people go through the same worries. Still, it can feel awkward to seek advice from friends or family. Moreover, if your partner realizes you suspect them, misunderstandings could arise, or if they truly are cheating, they may become more skilled at hiding the evidence. However, anyone who’s cheating will likely have some kind of “excuse” prepared to meet their lover. This article presents 10 common excuses used by those who cheat. You might recognize some that your partner has used. Let’s take a look.
Work-Related Excuses
One frequently seen pattern involves using work as a cover. If your partner starts showing these behaviors, pay attention.
“I have to work overtime, so I’ll be home late.”
Of course, sometimes overtime is genuine. But if your partner, who normally comes home at a predictable time, suddenly starts claiming overtime more frequently, it could be suspicious. Some people pretend they’re working late but are actually meeting their lover.
If you’re worried, consider checking their pay slips. By comparing reported overtime hours and actual arrival times, you might spot discrepancies.
“I have a business dinner, so I won’t need dinner at home.”
While you might want your partner to come straight home, you can’t easily object if they say they have a business dinner. After all, work-related outings can be hard to question. This makes “business dinners” a convenient excuse to meet a lover, especially if you can’t verify it.
That said, if their job normally doesn’t involve entertaining clients or meeting external contacts, frequent “business dinners” would be unusual. If you feel something’s off, keep an eye on their behavior.
“I’m going on a business trip.”
This is a bold excuse. If your partner plans to travel with their lover, they might say it’s a business trip. Using a business trip as a cover can be risky, though—if you call their workplace to confirm, you could expose the lie immediately.
To avoid getting caught, some people really do go on a legitimate business trip, but secretly arrange to meet their lover at the destination, or stay an extra night before or after the trip.
Using Friends as an Excuse
Saying “I’m going out drinking with friends” is a common excuse. The difficulty lies in the fact that their friends may help cover their tracks, making it harder to confirm what’s really happening.
“I’m going out for drinks.”
If they say they’re drinking with coworkers, you might verify it. But when it’s just “friends,” they can easily coordinate their stories. If drinking sessions become too frequent, consider discreetly checking during one of these outings without making them suspicious.
“I’m attending a class reunion.”
A reunion may not just be an excuse—it can spark an affair. Reconnecting with an old flame can reignite feelings, turning a simple get-together into the start of an affair.
If your partner’s socializing with old classmates becomes more frequent after a reunion, take note of the timeline and any changes in their attitude or routine.
“I’m taking a trip with friends.”
For couples with kids, traveling without family may raise eyebrows. But for childless couples, it might not seem strange for someone to take a trip with friends. In both cases, they could genuinely be traveling with friends—or using “friends” as a front for meeting a lover.
If they’re staying out overnight, casually ask about the destination and who they’re going with. Their reaction might provide clues.
Hobbies or Lessons as an Excuse
Everyone has hobbies or interests that take them out of the house. Unfortunately, these can also serve as convenient excuses for meeting someone else.
“I’ve started taking English classes.”
It’s not unusual for someone to start a new hobby or class, such as joining a gym or taking a language course. But these can become a cover. They might actually be attending classes and getting involved with the instructor or another student, or they might be lying completely and using “class time” to see their lover.
“I’m going night fishing.”
Fishing is a common hobby for both men and women, and good catches are often made at night. Leaving after dinner and not returning until morning offers a long window of unmonitored time.
If this seems suspicious, try sending a message or calling during “fishing time” to gauge their reaction.
“I’m going on an overnight ski trip with a friend.”
Like the “friend trip” scenario, a hobby-related overnight outing can also serve as an excuse. You can’t easily stop someone from enjoying their hobbies, but if overnight trips become too frequent, be cautious.
If they claim to be traveling with a friend, you might consider verifying this. However, remember that the friend might be in on the deception.
“I’m accompanying our child to their sports practice.”
Parents sometimes travel with their kids for sports matches, tournaments, or training camps, which can involve overnight stays. While using a child’s activity as a cover for infidelity is sad, some people do it.
If you suspect something more is going on, pay attention to other signs that might confirm your suspicions.
Conclusion
We’ve introduced 10 common excuses people use to hide their affairs. However, remember that these excuses alone aren’t concrete proof of infidelity. If you’re troubled by doubts and want solid evidence, consider consulting a professional investigator or agency. Don’t struggle alone—getting help from a neutral third party might be the best path to finding the truth.
