mistake for

1. 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

He tells us about the origins of tumbleweeds and how they roll; why Ogden Nash mocked the oboe; what napalm is and what it does; and why it’s a mistake for scientists to write in Esperanto.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"As many of you, I have not slept, and probably this has not helped, as well as my advanced age," said Correa do Lago, in his mid-sixties, apologizing as he blamed an honest mistake for missing Colombia's point of order.

Read more on Barron's

If someone pointed out a mistake—for he was human—he thanked them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Schjelderup made a mistake, a very serious mistake, for which he is criminally liable," the head of the Norwegian football association, Lisa Klaveness told reporters.

Read more on Barron's

It also feels like a mistake for Pep Guardiola to ignore the rise in the importance in set-pieces - City are the only Premier League team not to score from one this season.

Read more on BBC