6 Narcissistic Phrases People Say Who Are Out To Get You

Some people are just mean-spirited, and if they've got you in their sights, they'll use their words to cut you down and make themselves feel superior.

People don't always have your best interests in mind. They might even enjoy bringing other people down. It's important to be especially wary of the ones who seem genuine and caring, but when you think back on how they talk to you, their words come with a narcissistic bite that shows their true colors.

Conceited, narcissistic phrases people who want to bring you down use when they are feeling particularly mean:

1. 'You’re too sensitive'

man telling woman she's too sensitive because he's out to get her Branislav Nenin | Shutterstock

If someone is out to get you, they know how to use your own emotions against you. Narcissistic people are masters at manipulation. The Psychological Harassment Information Association defines manipulation as when the abuser is using personal, private, and sensitive information to destabilize the victim.

The purpose of this is for the manipulator to regain control over the other person. One phrase they love is “you’re too sensitive.” They try to make the other person feel bad for having feelings so they don’t have to take accountability for anything.

2. 'I was just joking'

Life coach and professor Kristy Lee Parking, PhD, explained, “A key trait of narcissists is an overblown, undeserved ego and an inner belief that people are jealous of them.” This shows up in how they speak.

If somebody is out to get you, they will use phrases that make them seem better than everybody else. They believe that taking accountability and saying sorry makes them seem weak. So, if they hurt somebody’s feelings, they will only write it off as a joke.

3. 'You’re overreacting'

woman telling friend she's out to get that she's overreacting Irene Miller | Shutterstock

In the same way calling you too sensitive uses your emotions against you, saying, "you're overreacting" is intended to make you doubt yourself.

Harvard psychologist Dr. Courtney Warren explained, “Many narcissists are chronically disappointed by others. In response, they may put those people down with cutting, hurtful, and mean-spirited insults.” One of their favorite ways to do this is by making other people’s feelings seem like facts. So, instead of acknowledging your thoughts and feelings, they will tell you you’re overreacting. Dr. Warren said the best way to respond to phrases like these is actually to say nothing at all. She added, “You’ll be less likely to say something you might regret later.”

4. 'I’m sorry you feel that way'

This phrase doesn't sound so bad when you first hear it, and that's sort of the point. People who are secretly out to get you are very good at not actually apologizing for the thing that they should.

Although the phrase “I’m sorry you feel that way” includes an apology, the rest of the phrase still shifts blame to the other person and avoids accountability. Dr. Warren noted, “Remember, while a narcissist may continue to communicate in harmful ways, their words can’t have power over you unless you let them.”

5. 'I don't have time for this'

Narcissistic people are the best at the silent treatment, also known as stonewalling. Clinical psychologist Dr. Ellie Wilde shared, “In a discussion or argument, the listener withdraws from the interaction, shutting down and closing themselves off from the speaker…metaphorically speaking, they build a wall between them and their partner.”

They pretend not to care in order to make the other person feel worse, when in reality, they do care. They will pretend that they don’t have time for the conversation to make the other person feel inconsequential.

6. 'You’re lucky I even care'

man who is out to get his friend telling him over the phone "you're lucky i even care" Andrii Iemelianenko | Shutterstock

Another classic manipulation tactic is making other people feel inferior. They do this by acting like their time and energy are so precious, and the fact that they are letting you into their lives is a privilege that you should be grateful for.

They believe that they are perfect and everyone else is flawed. If you notice somebody saying this often, it might be a sign that they only have their own interests in mind.

Sophie Bagheri is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and theatre who covers lifestyle topics.

People Who Are Out To Get You Often Use 6 Narcissistic Phrases In Casual Conversation