case of mistaken identity
noun phrase
: a situation in which someone or something is mistakenly thought to be someone or something else
Examples of case of mistaken identity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Such caution is critical at sites like airports, where drone detection accuracy greater than 90 percent still means the occasional false alarm or case of mistaken identity.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 28 June 2017
Listen to this article A Brooklyn man who dedicated his life to mentoring troubled youth was gunned down in a tragic case of mistaken identity when a gunman mistook his car for a similar vehicle used in a carjacking earlier that evening, police officials said.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2024
Unfortunately for him, McConaughey isn’t the only one getting confronted with this case of mistaken identity.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2024
Now that sounds like an only-in-Washington case of mistaken identity.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023
The messages suggest that the 43 students were essentially the victims of a case of mistaken identity.
—Amanda Taub, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2023
The nonfiction hits even harder, covering the stigma of mental illness, the trouble with school reform, the history of a mass-shooting weapon and — in what passes for a palate cleanser these days — an amusing case of mistaken identity that leads to an indictment of our twisted politics.
—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2023
Twenty-five years later, Rob is still tickled by that case of mistaken identity.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 19 July 2023
His revenge plot culminated in a deadly case of mistaken identity.
—Daniella Silva, NBC News, 25 May 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
IEEE Spectrum, 28 June 2017
Listen to this article A Brooklyn man who dedicated his life to mentoring troubled youth was gunned down in a tragic case of mistaken identity when a gunman mistook his car for a similar vehicle used in a carjacking earlier that evening, police officials said.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2024
Unfortunately for him, McConaughey isn’t the only one getting confronted with this case of mistaken identity.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2024
Now that sounds like an only-in-Washington case of mistaken identity.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023
The messages suggest that the 43 students were essentially the victims of a case of mistaken identity.
—Amanda Taub, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2023
The nonfiction hits even harder, covering the stigma of mental illness, the trouble with school reform, the history of a mass-shooting weapon and — in what passes for a palate cleanser these days — an amusing case of mistaken identity that leads to an indictment of our twisted politics.
—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2023
Twenty-five years later, Rob is still tickled by that case of mistaken identity.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 19 July 2023
His revenge plot culminated in a deadly case of mistaken identity.
—Daniella Silva, NBC News, 25 May 2023
Dictionary Entries Near case of mistaken identity
Cite this Entry
“Case of mistaken identity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/case%20of%20mistaken%20identity. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share