Will this hurt friendships?

It can — only play with people you trust, and respect every skip without comment.

How honest does the group have to be?

As honest as the group is comfortable being. Lying back is allowed; the game still works.

Three to four. Larger groups dilute the trust this category needs.

Secrets & Lies

Have you ever lied about why you were late?

👥 Play with Friends

Why people ask this

Confession questions change the energy in the room the moment someone says yes — because it means there is a story they have been holding onto. This question travels because secrets are heavy and the urge to put one down — even just into a game — is stronger than most people admit. Questions like this one get played across every kind of group on have.you — couples on a first date, coworkers at team events, friends on long drives. Each setting produces a different answer, which is part of why Have You Ever has stayed in circulation long after most party games get retired.

What do players say?

71%

of players said Yes
17 responses

Based on 17 answers so far, 71% of players say yes — making this something the majority of players have actually done.

Discussion starters

→ Who in the group is most likely to have lied about why you were late?
→ Did you ever get caught — and is there anyone in the room you'd still never tell?
→ What is the longest you have kept a secret?
→ What is one lie you tell to keep the peace?
→ What is something you have done that nobody in this room knows?

This question uncovers the little secrets behind our punctuality—or lack thereof—and reveals how far we're willing to go to cover up the truth. If you're curious about candid moments and hidden stories, explore our categories to find more intriguing prompts.

What This Question Really Asks

This question delves into honesty and the reasons behind our actions, often uncovering humorous, guilty, or even surprising truths. It’s a way to understand how we handle pressure and social expectations. For a broader look at personal admissions, check out our deep and meaningful questions.

Whether you’ve ever fabricated a story to avoid embarrassment
How honest or deceptive you tend to be in everyday situations
The excuses you’ve used to justify being late
Understanding the social pressure to present yourself in a certain way
Considering whether telling the truth might sometimes be worse than the lie

How to Use This Question

Setting	Tone	Best for	Tip
Friends game night	Playful and lighthearted	Breaking the ice, sharing funny stories	Use humor to keep the mood relaxed and encourage honesty to decide when to ask.
First date	Warm and sincere	Getting to know each other's backgrounds	Frame it as a fun confession to build trust.
Team meeting	Professional yet friendly	Learning about colleagues' personalities	Balance honesty with tact to keep it comfortable.
Family dinner	Casual and open	Sharing stories and laughs over dinner	Keep it light and focus on humorous or relatable lies.
Party	Festive and fun	Creating amusing stories and banter	Follow up with quick icebreaker questions for more fun.

When You Say "Yes"

You’re comfortable admitting minor dishonesty and can laugh about it.
You’ve felt guilty about lying, but thought it was necessary in the moment.
You tend to hide your true feelings or actions behind stories.
It’s likely you've used a creative excuse to justify being late or avoiding a situation.
You believe that sometimes, a white lie can save face or keep the peace.

When You Say "No"

Answering no indicates that you generally value honesty, even if it’s uncomfortable. You might be proud of your integrity and strive to be truthful in most situations. However, some may still withhold the truth to avoid disagreements or conflict.