an honest mistake
A mistake made unintentionally or unknowingly and without the intention of causing harm; a mistake that anyone might have made in similar circumstances. It was an honest mistake! How was I to know that you wouldn't want me to send that letter with the rest of the mail? I can see you're upset, but know that I didn't intentionally exclude you from the email chain—it was just an honest mistake. Jill's still mad at me? So I made an honest mistake—sheesh!
and no mistake
A phrase used to emphasize the statement that precedes it. She's a lovely woman and no mistake. I intend to take this all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to, and no mistake! This was a carefully orchestrated crime and no mistake—amateurs couldn't pull off something like this.
by mistake
Accidentally; unintentionally. I am so sorry, sir—I gave you the wrong dish by mistake. Oh, they hung up—they called the wrong number by mistake. A: "It seems my coat has gone missing." B: "Hmm, maybe someone picked it up by mistake."
everybody makes mistakes
Used as a means of consoling or mitigating judgment against someone because of a mistake they made. A: "I'm sorry I screwed up our presentation today." B: "Hey, everybody makes mistakes. It's not the end of the world or anything." Try not to be too harsh on the intern, OK? Everybody makes mistakes, and besides, it's his first week on the job. A: "I made a real accounting blunder at work today, and I feel awful about it." B: "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. Everybody makes mistakes."
everyone makes mistakes
Used as a means of consoling or mitigating judgment against someone because of a mistake they made. A: "I'm sorry I screwed up our presentation today." B: "Hey, everyone makes mistakes. It's not the end of the world or anything." Try not to be too harsh on the intern, OK? Everyone makes mistakes, and besides, it's his first week on the job. A: "I made a real accounting blunder at work today, and I feel awful about it." B: "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes."
if you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything
proverb Engaging in creative work will always result in mistakes; doing nothing is the only way to avoid making mistakes. Of course you'll make mistakes if you start your own business, but if you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything. I know you're something of a perfectionist, but, honey, if you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything. A: "I'm sorry, I know I came up with this design, but I just don't think it's right for the project anymore." B: "Bill, it's OK. If you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything."
in mistake for (something)
Mistaking one thing for something else. Manufacturers are being forced to package laundry detergent pods in childproof packaging, following a number of incidents in which young children have eaten the small, colorful products in mistake for candy. The defendant claims he simply grabbed the bag of narcotics in mistake for his own. I'm so sorry, I took your voice in mistake for your mother's! Is she home, dear?
make a mistake
To do something incorrectly or erroneously; to make an error of some kind. Look, I made a mistake—I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and blamed you for what happened. We've all made mistakes, but it's important to own up to them and learn from what happened.
make no mistake
What I have said or am about to say is absolutely certain; do not think otherwise. Make no mistake, I intend to take this all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to. Make no mistake, this was a carefully orchestrated crime—not some amateur job.
make no mistake about it
What I have said or am about to say is absolutely certain; do not think otherwise. I intend to take this all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to. Make no mistake about it. Make no mistake about it, this was a carefully orchestrated crime—not some amateur job.
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!
mix (one) up with (someone)
1. To confuse or mistake one person for another. I always mix Kelly up with her younger sister—they look so much alike! Sorry, I think I'm mixing him up with someone from the accounting team.
2. To involve or embroil one with some other person, especially someone who is problematic, unpleasant, dangerous, etc. Often used in passive constructions. I heard Tom's gotten mixed up with some pretty shady people since he moved to New York City. I don't want you mixing Sarah up with any troublemakers, you hear me?
rookie mistake
An error, fault, or deviation in judgment indicative of a very inexperienced person. I can't believe I let that error slip by me during testing. What a rookie mistake! Don't worry, everyone forgets to check for that their first time. It's a classic rookie mistake.
there's no mistaking (someone or something)
Someone or something is clearly and easily recognizable or identifiable. Justine left this note: there's no mistaking her handwriting. You should see him standing next to the ticket desk at the station—he's wearing a bright pink fedora, so there's no mistaking him.
we all make mistakes
Used as a means of consoling or mitigating judgment against someone because of a mistake they made. A: "I'm sorry I screwed up our presentation today." B: "Hey, we all make mistakes. It's not the end of the world or anything." Try not to be too harsh on the intern, OK? We all make mistakes, and besides, it's his first week on the job.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
by mistake
in error; accidentally. I'm sorry. I came into the wrong room by mistake. I chose the wrong road by mistake. Now we are lost.
If you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything.
Prov. If you try to do something, you will likely make mistakes.; The only way to make no mistakes is to avoid trying to do anything. (Can be used to console someone who has made a mistake.) Alan: I'm sorry there's no dessert. I tried to make a cake, but I messed it up. Jane: That's OK, dear; if you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything. It's a shame that you ruined the sweater you were making, but if you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything.
make a mistake
to commit an error; to do something wrong accidentally. I made a mistake and I am really sorry about it.
Make no mistake (about it)!
Inf. Do not be mistaken! You can be certain. Sally: I'm very angry with you! Make no mistake about it! Fred: Whatever it's about, I'm sorry. Clerk: Make no mistake, this is the finest carpet available. Sally: I'd like something a little less fine, I think.
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.
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.
mix someone up with someone else Go to mistake someone for someone
else.
mix something up with something else Go to mistake something for something
else.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.