Two Truths and a Lie
A classic icebreaker where each person shares three statements—two true and one false—while others guess the lie.
Video Example
Introduction
Two Truths and a Lie is a simple yet engaging icebreaker where participants share three statements about themselves—two factual and one fabricated. The group then discusses and votes to identify the false statement. This game encourages creative thinking, active listening, and storytelling while helping team members learn surprising facts about each other.
Why This Works as an Icebreaker
- Breaks down social barriers through lighthearted deception
- Reveals unexpected personal stories and interests
- Encourages active listening and observation skills
- Works equally well in person and virtually
- Scalable from small teams to large groups
When to Use This Game
Ideal Contexts
- Team meetings and kickoffs
- Virtual/remote gatherings
- Training sessions and workshops
- New employee onboarding
- Social events and team building
Group Size
Min: 3 | Ideal: 6–12 | Max: 50
Requirements
Time Required
- Per person: 0:30–1:00
- Total: 10–20 min
- Prep time: 0–3 min
Setup
No materials needed. Participants just need a moment to think of their three statements.
How to Play
Think of Statements
1–2 minEach person thinks of three statements about themselves: two truths and one lie.
- TipMix obvious and subtle statements to increase difficulty
- TipChoose topics that reveal personality or interests
Share in Turn
30–60 sec per personTake turns sharing the three statements in any order.
- TipMaintain a poker face when sharing
- TipDeliver all three with equal confidence
Group Discussion
30–90 sec per personThe group discusses and votes on which statement is the lie.
- TipEncourage brief reasoning for votes
- TipUse polls or emoji reactions in virtual settings
Reveal and Share
30 sec per personReveal the answer and optionally share a short story for context.
- TipCelebrate creative lies and surprising truths
- TipKeep stories brief to maintain momentum
Outcomes & Benefits
Key Benefits
- Team members learn unexpected facts about each other
- Encourages creativity and strategic thinking
- Builds rapport through shared laughter
- Improves listening and observation skills
- Creates memorable conversation starters
Facilitator Insights
- Notice which participants are naturally good storytellers
- Observe who asks thoughtful follow-up questions
- Use revealed facts as reference points in future discussions
- Track which lies were most convincing for future examples
Strategies & Tips
- ✓ I once bungee jumped in New Zealand
- ✓ I speak three languages fluently
- ✗ I had oatmeal for breakfast this morning
- ✓ I've run two marathons
- ✓ I collect vintage postcards
- ✗ I met a celebrity at a coffee shop last month (actually met them at a conference)
- ✓ I accidentally sat in first class for an entire flight
- ✓ I once won a pie-eating contest
- ✗ I have a pet goldfish
General Tips
- Keep it snappy: 30–60 seconds per person to maintain energy
- Mix topics: combine work, hobbies, travel, and quirky facts
- Avoid controversial or overly personal topics
Lie Ideas by Category
Childhood & Family
- I was born in [different city/country]
- I have [different number] siblings
- My first pet was a [unusual animal]
- I moved [X] times before age 10
- I was on a [sport] team in middle school
Food & Drink
- I'm allergic to [common food]
- I've never tried [popular food/drink]
- I can cook [impressive dish] from scratch
- I once ate [unusual food] in [country]
- I hate [commonly loved food]
Achievements
- I won a [competition] in [year]
- I published [article/paper] about [topic]
- I hold a [certification/degree] in [field]
- I broke a [type of] record in [context]
- I received an award for [achievement]
Skills & Hidden Talents
- I can speak [number] languages
- I play [musical instrument]
- I know how to [unusual skill]
- I'm certified in [skill/activity]
- I can [physical feat] without stopping
Fun & Personality
- I've never seen [famous movie/show]
- I've been to [number] countries
- I collect [unusual items]
- I'm afraid of [common thing]
- I've met [type of celebrity]
Crafting Your Statements
Making a Credible Lie
The best lies are close to the truth or mundane enough to be believable. Avoid outrageous claims unless your truths are equally impressive.
Making Suspicious Truths
Make at least one truth sound unusual or surprising to create genuine uncertainty. The more your truths sound like lies, the better the game.
Ordering Your Statements
Consider placing your lie in the middle or varying the position across rounds to avoid patterns. Some players always put the lie last.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Avoid lies that can be easily verified (like job titles or degrees)
- Don't make statements too personal or uncomfortable
- Skip overly complex lies that require elaborate backstories
- Avoid lies about sensitive topics (health, family tragedies, etc.)
Facilitation Tips
Moderation
- Set a timer to keep individual turns brief (60–90 seconds)
- Encourage the group to ask clarifying questions before voting
- Celebrate both clever lies and surprising truths
- Go first as facilitator to model the energy and format
Inclusion & Safety
- Remind participants that the goal is fun, not to trick others too hard
- Encourage creative and unexpected statements to make it more challenging
- Allow participants to pass or choose simpler statements if uncomfortable
- Validate all statements without judgment
Virtual/Remote Adaptation
- Use emoji reactions (👍👎) or polls to vote in virtual meetings
- Enable video to see facial expressions and body language
- Use breakout rooms for larger groups
- Consider using chat for simultaneous voting to save time
Debrief & Reflection
Discussion Questions
- Which lie was the most convincing and why?
- What surprising truths did you learn about teammates?
- What strategies did people use to make their lies believable?
- How did this activity change your perception of your colleagues?
Wrap-Up Tips
- Acknowledge the most creative lie and most surprising truth
- Thank participants for their openness and creativity
- Note any interesting commonalities or differences discovered
- Reference memorable statements in future meetings to reinforce connections