a case of mistaken identity

a case of mistaken identity

An instance in which one is thought or assumed to be someone else. Officer, this is a case of mistaken identity—I can assure you that I did not rob anyone!
See also: case, identity, mistaken, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

case of mistaken identity

the incorrect identification of someone. I am not the criminal you want to arrest. This is a case of mistaken identity.
See also: case, identity, mistaken, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • identity
  • mistaken
  • case of mistaken identity
  • not be lost on (someone)
  • give ear to (someone or something)
  • set (one) at (one's) ease
  • put (one) at (one's) ease
  • put one at ease
  • put/set somebody at ease
  • a false alarm
References in periodicals archive
The arrest of a veteran community journalist, 61-year-old Margarita Valle, was not a case of mistaken identity at all, her family said Tuesday.
Family of arrested journalist: No mistaken identity; she's a clear target
Girl killed in 'mistaken identity' shooting in Tondo !-- -- Marc Jayson Cayabyab (The Philippine Star) - April 11, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines A 17-year-old girl was killed in what her relatives believe was a case of mistaken identity in Tondo, Manila on Sunday.
Girl killed in 'mistaken identity' shooting in Tondo
Police on Tuesday were still in the dark over the murder of a 33-year-old man in Ayia Napa on Thursday night, as his family suggested it could have been a case of mistaken identity.
Family say murder case of mistaken identity
In one of Brett Kavanaugh's responses to allegations that he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl when he was in high school, a charge he has denied "categorically and unequivocally," he suggested that, perhaps, this was a case of mistaken identity.
Could this be mistaken identity?
DS Colin Filby from Skelmersdale CID said: "We think this was a case of mistaken identity. The victim wasn't harmed but is understandably shaken.
Boy, 16 in gun threat; SUNDAY SHORTS
A MAN has been jailed after attacking a stranger in his own home - in a case of mistaken identity.
Jailed for mistaken attack on stranger
The Pakistani government had maintained that he was an Indian spy, but Sarabjit's family say it is a case of mistaken identity. ( ANI )
Lahore court initiates judicial inquiry into Sarabjit Singh's murder case
Summary: Seventeen Indian men, who have been languishing in a Sharjah jail even after being spared from death sentence due to new legal hurdles, 'are now facing a case of mistaken identity,' albeit out of court.
None of 17 jailed Indians freed
Police believe the murder of a 15-year-old boy shot in his bed could have been a case of mistaken identity.
Boy killed in shooting
IT was a case of mistaken identity that caused Doctor Scott to trade at the Betfair low of 1.01, and the ceiling price of 1,000 in the Listed race at Salisbury.
Trading Report: wrong doctor
But after a case of mistaken identity, fellow attacker Gary Kavanagh has now been suspended for a month.
Gaelic Games: Video clears Kelly of ban
BRITISH pensioner Derek Bond is suing the FBI for jailing him for three weeks in a case of mistaken identity.
Jailed Bond sues the FBI
Walker insists Andy McCraw was wrongly sent off after a second booking in 62 minutes in their 3-2 win over Clach - because his first yellow card was a case of mistaken identity by referee Scott MacDonald.
Football: Red card sticks in McCraw; HIGHLAND
But his excitement turned to embarrassment when he realised it was a case of mistaken identity.
Queen of spin: Identity crisis
Consider it a case of mistaken identity, but one with health implications for hundreds of millions of people.
Drug-resistance gene found--again