n. 1 misconception, misapprehension, error, fault, miscalculation, misjudgement, blunder, botch, fumble, bad move, misstep, slip, erratum, gaffe, faux pas, Colloq boo-boo, clanger, muff, howler, Brit boob, bloomer, US blooper, goof, goof-up, flub Giving Aston a salary rise was a mistake 2 indiscretion, misstep, false step, wrong move It was a mistake not to stand up when she entered
v. 3 misunderstand, misinterpret, misjudge, misconstrue, take the wrong way, get wrong, misread, misapprehend The fool mistook my remark as a compliment 4 mistake for. mix up with, misidentify as, confuse with, take for In the dark, she mistook him for her husband