mistake (someone or something) for (someone or something)

mistake (someone or something) for (someone or something)

To confuse someone or something for someone or something else. I always mistake Kelly for her sister. They just look so much alike!See also: mistake

mistake (someone) for (someone else)

 and mix (someone) up with (someone else)to confuse someone with someone else; to think that one person is another person. I'm sorry. I mistook you for John. Tom is always mistaking Bill for me. We don't look a thing alike, though. Try not to mix Bill up with Bob, his twin.See also: mistake

mistake (something) for (something else)

 and mix (something) up with (something else)to confuse two things with each other. Please don't mix this idea up with that one. I mistook my book for yours.See also: mistake

mistake for

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] See also: mistake

mistake for

v. To wrongly perceive that someone or something is someone or something else: I'm sorry to have bothered you—I mistook you for a friend of mine. Don't mistake the poison ivy for a box elder vine!See also: mistake