56 Totally Believable Hickey Excuses to Hide Yet Flaunt that Love Bite in Style!

Got a hickey that’s too visible for comfort? Don’t sweat it! Check out our list of the most convincing hickey excuses & tips on how to deliver them like a pro.

So you’ve got a hickey—congratulations or condolences, depending on how you view it. No matter what your reason is for rocking that love bite, you’ve clicked on the right feature. We’re diving into hickey excuses that are so good, they’re almost better than the real thing.

So if you’re feeling like a deer caught in the headlights—or should we say, a lover caught in the limelight—don’t panic. We’ve got psychology-backed tips and believable lines for any scenario to guide you through this slightly awkward journey.

[Read: 30 secrets & medical tips to hide or get rid of a hickey fast & cover it ASAP]

What is a Hickey?

Let’s put on our lab coats for a hot second because we’re about to get a wee bit scientific. Don’t worry, we promise it’s more fun than your high school biology class!

So, a hickey, also known as a love bite, is essentially a bruise. When you suck or nibble on the skin, the tiny blood vessels under the surface break.

The blood pools, creating that iconic red or purple mark. Trust us, it’s more poetic in the heat of the moment than it sounds on paper.

Now, let’s sprinkle in some psychology magic. Ever heard of mate retention tactics? It sounds like something out of a National Geographic documentary on mating dances, but it’s a real thing.

Researchers suggest that love bites can unconsciously signal a sort of “dibs” to potential romantic rivals. It’s like your partner is saying, “Hey world, this awesome person is with me!” without having to shout it from the rooftops. [Read: 27 sexy ways to give a hickey, what one looks like & love bite must-knows]

Believable Hickey Excuses

Alright, so your hickey is front and center, practically waving hello to everyone who passes by. Maybe it’s peeking out from under your collar, or perhaps it’s so bold it deserves its own Instagram account.

Either way, you need some hickey excuses that are as believable as your grandma saying she loves all her grandchildren equally. Let’s get into it!

1. “I had an allergic reaction to a bug bite.”

Especially convincing if it’s summer or you’ve been in a natural setting lately. Explain you went hiking, camping, or simply took a walk outside, and before you knew it, you were scratching away at this ‘bug bite.’

For authenticity, maybe Google what a real allergic reaction to a bug bite looks like. Knowledge is power! [Read: 30 different types of kisses, what they mean and must-avoid smooch mistakes]

2. “My skin reacted badly to my new lotion.”

Hey, skincare is a journey, am I right? One day you’re loving your new moisturizer, and the next day your skin’s protesting like a toddler who missed their nap.

You can back this excuse up by saying you’ve been trying a new lotion with unfamiliar ingredients. Bonus points if you actually know what’s in your skincare products.

3. “I was experimenting with vacuum cupping therapy.”

Getting into wellness trends? Say you were trying out cupping to help with some muscle tension. You know, the thing where they put suction cups on you and it’s supposed to improve blood flow?

Mention you left one on for too long and voila, hickey excuse served on a wellness platter.

4. “I was practicing self-defense moves and missed the padding.”

You were working on your self-defense techniques, aiming for a padded target. Except you missed and ended up getting a bit bruised. Hey, practice makes perfect, right?

5. “I accidentally walked into a tree branch while hiking.”

Call it a close encounter with Mother Nature. You were out enjoying the great outdoors when you had a clumsy moment. Makes for a great story and an even better hickey excuse.

6. “The strap on my bag was rubbing against my neck.”

This is the adult version of “the dog ate my homework,” but it’s oddly effective. If you’re known for carrying a bag that’s larger than your list of responsibilities, people might just buy it.

To make it more credible, add that you had to walk a long distance with said bag—perhaps to or from a public transportation stop.

7. “I was testing Halloween makeup and it stained.”

This one’s especially great in October, but hey, who says you can’t be a year-round Halloween enthusiast?

Say you were testing some special effects makeup and, lo and behold, it stained. Lesson learned, right?

8. “I got a minor sports injury.”

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or your idea of a sport is lifting a pint, this excuse has versatility. Explain that you got a bit too competitive in a casual game and ended up with this unsightly mark.

For a nice dash of credibility, lament about how you wish you’d scored a point instead of a bruise.

9. “I got jabbed in paintball.”

Hey, it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there on the paintball field. Say you were ducking and weaving like a pro but still got pegged in the neck by a rogue paintball.

Talk about how it stings and you were surprised by how much it marked you.

10. “I burnt myself with my hair straightener/curling iron.”

Beauty is pain, or in this case, a well-timed hickey excuse. If you often use hair tools, this could be your get-out-of-jail-free card.

Relate that you were in a hurry and slipped with the straightener or curling iron, leaving a mark. A cautionary tale and an excuse in one!

11. “I tried a DIY neck massage and pressed too hard.”

This is the modern age—of course you’re watching YouTube tutorials for everything from cooking to self-care. [Read: The perfect romantic massage to turn your lover on]

Explain that you were following a DIY neck massage guide and got a bit too enthusiastic with the pressure. Hey, we’ve all been there.

12. “I had an awkward fall and hit my neck against a corner.”

The good ol’ clumsy card. You tripped or stumbled and had a minor collision with a piece of furniture. Could happen to anyone, right? Particularly effective if you’re known to be a bit accident-prone.

13. “I tried a new razor and it didn’t go well.”

The perils of grooming. You were trying to achieve that fresh, clean shave and the razor slipped, causing more harm than good. Add a dash of “I should have read the reviews first,” and you’re golden. [Read: Shaving your pubic area: 25 bush tips for women & men to shave down there]

14. “I was trying a DIY skin treatment with a suction device.”

Blame it on the never-ending quest for perfect skin. You bought a facial suction device online to try and get rid of blackheads or increase circulation, and boom, you ended up with that mark.

Everyone loves a good online shopping fail story.

15. “I leaned against a hot surface by accident.”

Blame it on absentmindedness or multitasking. Maybe you were cooking and leaned against the oven or stovetop without realizing it was still hot. It’s silly, it’s embarrassing, and it’s a great hickey excuse.

16. “I had a bad reaction to a fabric softener or laundry detergent.”

This one’s great because it’s easily relatable and possible. Maybe you changed laundry detergents and your skin didn’t take kindly to the new formula.

Let people know you’ll be switching back to your old detergent pronto!

17. “I got tangled in my pet’s leash.”

If you have a dog, or any pet that you take out on a leash, this could be a believable tale. Maybe Fido saw a squirrel and made a dash for it, wrapping the leash around your neck briefly.

Ah, the things we endure for love.

18. “I scratched myself in my sleep.”

Ah, the sleeping alibi—so simple, yet so effective. Say you had a vivid dream and woke up to find you’d scratched yourself.

This might even get people interested in what you were dreaming about, steering the conversation away from hickey territory.

19. “It’s a birthmark I’ve always had, you just never noticed before.”

Play it off like it’s always been there and make them question their own observation skills. This one’s a bit daring, but if executed with confidence, it can really work.

20. “I was playing a game of tag and got tagged—hard.”

Childhood games, adult consequences. Say you were playing a spirited game of tag with some friends or younger relatives, and someone tagged you with a bit too much enthusiasm. Hey, it’s a contact sport!

21. “I was trying a TikTok challenge and failed miserably.”

Blame it on the ‘For You’ page. You saw a challenge that required some intricate movements and you didn’t quite nail it.

It’s relatable, and it might even get you some sympathy likes if you post your “fail” online.

22. “I had an intense acupuncture session.”

Say you’re exploring alternative therapies. Maybe you leaned into the needle a bit too much or the acupuncturist was trying a new technique. Either way, you got more than you bargained for.

23. “I had a minor fender bender and hit my neck on the steering wheel.”

This one is more on the serious side, so use it judiciously. Explain that you had a minor car accident, and even though you’re fine, you got this mark during the impact. Safety first, everyone!

24. “I was caught in a mini hailstorm.”

Seasonally specific but the weather always offers good cover stories. Say you were outside when a hailstorm came out of nowhere. Before you could take cover, one got you right on the neck.

25. “I was doing some gardening and got pricked by a thorn.”

This one adds a touch of poetic tragedy, doesn’t it? You were communing with nature, tending to roses or berry bushes, when a sneaky thorn caught you off guard. Ouch but poetic!

26. “I was practicing my knot-tying skills and got a rope burn.”

Channeling your inner Boy or Girl Scout? You were practicing knots, maybe for camping or sailing, and slipped up. The rope left more than just an impression on you; it left a mark!

27. “My little cousin/niece/nephew drew on me with a permanent marker.”

Blame the irresistibly adorable but chaotic energy of small children. You were spending quality family time when the little artist decided to make you their canvas. Permanent markers—can’t trust ’em!

28. “I bumped my neck on the corner of my laptop/tablet.”

A modern-day dilemma indeed. Maybe you were juggling multiple devices and accidentally bumped your neck on a sharp edge. It’s a sign of the times, and a very 21st-century hickey excuse.

29. “I tripped while jogging and scraped my neck on a fence.”

Hey, exercise isn’t always pretty. Say you were trying to keep up your fitness routine, but the universe had other plans. A tumble near a fence, and voila, instant hickey excuse.

30. “I was practicing my stage combat skills.”

If you’ve got any theater buffs in your circle, this will speak to them. You were practicing your fake slaps and punches, but someone got a little too real. Cue the dramatic gasps.

31. “I was sampling colognes and had an allergic reaction.”

Those department store freebies can get you every time. You tried a new scent and bam, instant skin reaction. Let this be a lesson in always doing a patch test first.

32. “I had an intense VR gaming session.”

Virtual reality can have very real consequences. You were lost in the game and somehow managed to whack yourself. Blame it on those immersive graphics!

33. “I was trying to open a stubborn jar and it slipped, hitting me.”

Yes, the pitfalls of everyday life. You were battling that impossible-to-open jar of pickles, it slipped, and you ended up with a mark. And you still haven’t gotten to those pickles.

34. Just own it!

Why beat around the bush when you can stand tall and proud? Sometimes, the best way to deal with a hickey is to embrace it.

Whether it’s a mark from a loved one or a result of a passionate night, owning it can sometimes be the most empowering choice. After all, you’re an adult, and a little love mark never hurt anyone. [Read: 41 signs & steps to stop caring what people think & start living your life]

The Must-Know Tips on Delivering Your Hickey Excuses

Because let’s face it, a great hickey excuse is only as good as its delivery. So let’s dive into some pro tips on how to serve these hickey excuses like a seasoned actor on a Broadway stage.

1. Practice Makes Perfect

Before you even step out the door, practice your chosen hickey excuse in front of the mirror. Get the tone, the facial expression, and the timing down pat.

The more natural you sound, the less likely someone will question your story. So rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!

2. Keep it Casual

Don’t go overboard with details. Offering too much information can make it sound like you’re trying to cover something up.

Stick to your story, keep it simple, and act like it’s no big deal. After all, if you’re casual about it, others are more likely to be as well.

3. Maintain Eye Contact

It’s all in the eyes! When you’re delivering your hickey excuse, look the person straight in the eye.

It’ll make you appear more sincere and believable. Plus, eye contact is often seen as a sign of honesty, so use that psychology tip to your advantage.

4. Be Consistent

If you tell one person you got tangled in a dog leash and another that you were sampling allergic colognes, word might get around that your story is inconsistent.

Stick with one hickey excuse and keep to it. Consistency is key when it comes to believability.

5. Use Humor to Deflect

If all else fails, a little humor can go a long way. Crack a joke about your “clumsiness” or “bad luck” to make light of the situation. People are more likely to let the topic slide if they’re busy laughing. [Read: How to be funny: 28 must-know tips to make everyone love your humor]

6. Timing is Everything

If someone brings up your hickey, don’t rush into your excuse right away. Take a beat, act surprised that they even noticed, and then casually drop your rehearsed line.

A well-timed delivery can make your hickey excuse more convincing.

7. Know Your Audience

Some excuses will work better with certain people. Your grandma might not buy the “VR gaming session” line, but your friends might.

Tailor your hickey excuse to the person you’re talking to for maximum impact.

8. Gauge Their Reaction

Pay close attention to the other person’s facial expressions and body language as you deliver your excuse. If they seem skeptical, you might need to elaborate a little more or even switch tactics.

Reading the room is essential for any Oscar-worthy performance.

9. Have a Wingman or Wingwoman Ready

If possible, prep a friend beforehand to back up your story. A well-timed, “Oh yeah, I remember when that happened!” can give your hickey excuse an extra layer of credibility.

Just make sure your accomplice knows which story you’re sticking to!

10. Be Ready for Follow-up Questions

Some people are naturally inquisitive and might ask for more details. Think a step ahead and be prepared for any follow-up questions that could come your way.

A seamless narrative will make your hickey excuse unassailable.

11. Change the Topic

If you find that the scrutiny is becoming too intense, a sudden change in conversation can be your best friend. Transition smoothly into a different topic that you know will engage the other person.

“Oh, speaking of skincare, have you tried that new charcoal mask?” Or perhaps, “You won’t believe the crazy thing my pet did yesterday!” If they’re invested in the new topic, they’ll likely forget all about your little “blemish.”

Why Do We Need These Hickey Excuses?!

So you’ve got your list of hickey excuses and your tips on how to deliver them, but why do we even find ourselves in this situation? Why is there a need to come up with excuses for something as harmless as a hickey?

1. Social Stigma

While hickeys are often considered a sort of romantic “trophy,” there’s also a social stigma attached to them. They can be seen as unprofessional, irresponsible, or even a sign of “easy virtue” in some circles.

The mixed messages society sends can make even the most confident person consider using hickey excuses.

2. Embarrassment-Humiliation Theory

It’s worth mentioning the psychological concept of the Embarrassment-Humiliation Theory here. This theory suggests that humans are hardwired to feel embarrassed or humiliated when we think we’ve violated societal norms. [Read: Proper social etiquette: Signs & traits that make you classy & likable]

When you’re sporting a hickey, that twinge of embarrassment you feel? That’s your brain’s way of telling you that you might be stepping outside of what’s considered “acceptable” in your social circle.

3. Impression Management

People often use hickey excuses as a form of Impression Management, a term psychologists use to describe the efforts people make to control how others see them.

Whether it’s a job interview or a family dinner, hickeys might not mesh well with the image someone wants to project.

4. Cultural Differences

In some cultures, public displays of affection—and the physical markers that come with them—are not as readily accepted.

For people from these backgrounds, hickey excuses can be a necessary tool for navigating cultural expectations and taboos.

5. Personal Relationships

Sometimes the issue isn’t with society but with specific people in one’s life.

Parents, partners, or even friends may have strong opinions about hickeys, and not wanting to upset or cause tension with these individuals can be reason enough to search for hickey excuses. [Read: Overprotective & controlling parents: 28 signs, effects & how to deal with them]

6. The Element of Surprise

Nobody likes to be caught off guard, especially when probed about something as personal as a hickey.

Having a ready-made excuse can provide a sense of control in unpredictable social situations. It’s like having an emergency escape route for your love life!

7. Public Image Concerns

For some, the hickey might conflict with the image they’re trying to project.

Whether it’s the corporate professional who doesn’t want to raise eyebrows at a business meeting or the teacher standing in front of a classroom of judgmental teens, a hickey can feel like a kryptonite to one’s public image.

8. Relationship Secrecy

Sometimes relationships are in the “it’s complicated” stage or downright secret for personal reasons. In these situations, a hickey can be like an unwanted billboard announcing your private affairs.

Thus, hickey excuses become a handy tool in maintaining the clandestine nature of a relationship. [Read: Sneaky link: What it is, 48 signs to see it, must-know rules & how to be in it]

9. Family Dynamics

Whether it’s a nosy aunt or a conservative grandparent, family members have their own set of values and judgments. [Read: Interfering parents: All the ways they can affect your love life]

A hickey can spark uncomfortable conversations or awkward stares during Sunday dinner, making hickey excuses an almost necessary survival tool.

10. Intricacies of Dating

In the modern world of dating where multiple concurrent relationships or situationships are more common, a hickey can be misinterpreted.

Your Saturday date might not appreciate the “love bite” you got from your Tuesday date. So, having some hickey excuses up your sleeve can help navigate the already tricky landscape of modern love.

11. Self-Consciousness

Finally, let’s not forget personal feelings. Some people are just self-conscious about having a hickey.

It might not even be about others’ opinions but more about how the individual feels about walking around with visible love marks.

You’re Now Armed With an Arsenal of Hickey Excuses

Whether you’re grappling with social stigmas, feeling a twinge of embarrassment, or just want to keep your private life, well, private, hickey excuses have got you covered. But let’s not forget the bigger picture here: It’s your life, your body, and your love story to tell *or not tell*.

The most important thing is to find a balance that works for you. Don’t let the fear of judgment outweigh the joy and spontaneity of your love life.

[Read: Neck kisses: 22 erogenous ways, dos and don’ts to kiss the neck and melt anyone]

Sometimes a hickey is just a hickey. But if you do find yourself in a situation where you’d rather keep it on the down-low, you’re now armed with an arsenal of hickey excuses to navigate the social maze.