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mistake for

Idioms

Take someone or something for someone or something else, as in I'm sorry, I mistook you for her sister, or Don't mistake that friendly smile for good intentions; he's a tough competitor. [c. 1600]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His playmates have nicknamed him “petit éclair” for his soft heart, which they mistake for weakness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

It would be a grave mistake for him to burn even more bridges with European leaders.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

But if you look back, California has seen a lot more George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis types, which is to say bland-persona governors whom no one would mistake for box-office gold.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2026

There are doubts over their goalkeeper situation too, which cost them again here with Altay Bayindir's mistake for Riccardo Calafiori's winner.

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2025

Since she had not yet used magic, Grandma said it would be a mistake for her to start now.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023