You’ve been there. The Zoom call is awkward. Or maybe you're sitting in a circle of folding chairs in a sterile office breakroom. Then, someone suggests the dreaded icebreaker.
"Let's play Two Truths and a Lie!"
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Everyone groans internally, but secretly, we all start scrambling. What’s the most interesting thing about me that doesn't sound like I'm bragging? Can I trick Dave from accounting? This is where a two truths and a lie template actually saves lives—or at least saves you from the crushing silence of a room full of people who can't think of a single "fun fact" about their own lives.
People think they don't need a structure for this. They're wrong. Without a framework, the game becomes a repetitive slog of "I have a dog," "I've been to Paris," and "I once broke my arm." Boring. Using a proper two truths and a lie template isn't just about having a piece of paper; it’s about understanding the psychology of deception and the art of the "believable weird."
The Psychology of Why We Suck at This Game
Humans are generally bad at lying on the fly.
When we're put on the spot, our brains default to the most mundane truths and the most outrageous lies. That's the giveaway. If you tell me you own a cat, you’ve been to the moon, and you like pizza, I’m going to guess you haven't been to the moon. A two truths and a lie template helps you balance the "weight" of your statements.
Expert liars—or just people who are good at party games—know that the secret is in the "middle ground." You want your truths to sound slightly unlikely and your lie to sound perfectly plausible. Think about it. If you use a two truths and a lie template that forces you to categorize your facts into "hobbies," "travel," and "scars," you're already ten steps ahead of the person winging it.
Why templates actually work
A template isn't just a list. It’s a prompt system. It forces you to dig into the corners of your memory. Did you actually meet a B-list celebrity in a deli in 2014? Write it down. Did you fail your first driving test because a squirrel ran under the tire? That’s a goldmine.
Most people fail because they think the lie has to be big. It doesn't. The best lie is a "modified truth." If you have two sisters, say you have three. If you lived in Ohio for five years, say it was six. This makes the lie feel grounded. When you're using a two truths and a lie template, look for the "Specific Detail" section. Details sell the lie.
Crafting the Perfect Set with a Two Truths and a Lie Template
Let's get practical. If you're looking at a two truths and a lie template, you'll likely see fields for your statements. But how do you fill them?
- The "Almost True" Lie. Change a name, a date, or a location of something that actually happened.
- The "Unbelievable" Truth. This is your strongest weapon. If you actually won a competitive hot dog eating contest, people will assume it's the lie because it's "too much."
- The "Boring" Truth. This acts as a camouflage. It makes you look like you aren't trying too hard.
The goal is to make all three statements occupy the same "possibility space." If one statement feels "shinier" than the others, that's the one people will point to. You want to flatten the emotional delivery of all three.
Examples of what to avoid
Don't use "I've never broken a bone." It's the "free space" of icebreakers. Everyone uses it.
Also, avoid anything too dark. "I once saw a ghost" is a mood killer. Keep it light, keep it weird, and keep it fast. A two truths and a lie template should help you filter out the "TMI" (Too Much Information) stuff that makes the HR department sweat.
Honestly, the best way to use these templates is to prepare three different sets. One for work, one for friends, and one for that weird family reunion where you don't want to explain your actual life choices.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Variations
You've got your two truths and a lie template filled out. Now what?
If you're the moderator, you can spice it up. Try "Two Truths and a Dream." Instead of a lie, the third item is something the person wants to do. It changes the vibe from "deception" to "aspiration." It’s less stressful for introverts who feel guilty about lying.
Another version is "Two Truths and a Lie: Workplace Edition." This is risky but fun. Statements must be about things that happened at the company. "I once accidentally CC'd the CEO on a meme," "I've slept under my desk," and "I once ate someone else's yogurt." Use a two truths and a lie template specifically designed for team building to keep these within the bounds of professional behavior.
Tools and Resources
If you're looking for a physical or digital two truths and a lie template, there are plenty of places to find them. Sites like Canva or Pinterest have thousands of "cute" versions, but honestly, a simple Google Doc or a Slack poll often works better for remote teams.
- Miro or Mural: Great for visual teams to drop "sticky notes" with their facts.
- Typeform: Good for collecting facts beforehand so the host can present them anonymously.
- Plain old Paper: Still the king for in-person events.
Why This Game Persists in 2026
You’d think by 2026 we’d have replaced this with some AI-driven VR icebreaker. But we haven't. Why? Because storytelling is the core of human connection. We like hearing weird things about people. We like the "Wait, REALLY?" moment when a quiet coworker reveals they used to be a professional circus performer.
A two truths and a lie template is just a tool to get us to that moment faster. It bypasses the "umms" and "ahhs." It gets straight to the good stuff.
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In a world of digital personas and curated LinkedIn profiles, this game—when done right—actually reveals something authentic. Even the lie says something about you. Do you lie about being more successful? More adventurous? More normal? It’s all data.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
Stop overthinking it. Seriously.
If you’re tasked with running this, grab a two truths and a lie template that focuses on "Categories of Life" (Travel, Childhood, Skills, Mishaps).
- Give people exactly three minutes. No more.
- Tell them to write down five truths first, then pick the two weirdest ones.
- Advise them to make their lie "adjacent" to a truth they already have.
- If someone says "I don't have any fun facts," tell them to think of the last thing they searched for on YouTube. There's usually a truth in there somewhere.
When it's time to reveal, don't just say "The second one was the lie." Tell the story behind the truths. That's where the actual "ice" gets "broken." The game is just the excuse. The conversation that follows is the point.
Next time you see a two truths and a lie template, don't roll your eyes. Use it to find the one story that makes people see you as a human being rather than just another face on a screen. Dig for the specific detail—the brand of the car you crashed, the name of the obscure band you saw, the exact flavor of the cake you ruined. Details are the difference between a boring icebreaker and a memorable connection.
Go find your three things. Make sure the lie is boring and the truths are wild. That's how you win.