Reverse Dictionary: MISTAKE

ADJECTIVES
► ALL WET entirely confused or wrong; mistaken → 1923
► ARSE-WISE inept; preposterous, absurd, foolish, ludicrous, mistaken, wrong → 1962 colloq.
► FALLIBLE of persons or their faculties: liable to be deceived or mistaken; liable to err → 1430
► FULL OF BEANS wrong; mistaken, esp. chronically so → 1940s Amer. sl.
► FULL OF HOT AIR wrong, mistaken; pompously in error → 1940s Amer. sl.
► FULL OF PRUNES wrong, mistaken, esp. chronically so; full of nonsense → 1894 US sl.
► FULL OF SHIT AS A CHRISTMAS GOOSE, AS wrong, mistaken; not to be credited → 1940s Amer. sl.
► MISAGAFT mistaken, misgiven → 1691 Eng. dial.  
► MISTAKEFUL full of mistakes → 1880
► OFFBEAT  mistaken, wrong, in error → 1958 US sl.
► OFFEN ONE’S BOX crazy; foolishly wrong, mistaken → 1903 Amer. dial.
► OFF IT mistaken → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► OFF ONE’S BASE insane, crazy, confused, muddled, mistaken → 1891 US sl.
► OFF ONE’S BOX crazy; foolishly wrong; mistaken → 1903 Amer. dial.
► OFF ONE’S CABASE mistaken (cabase = head) → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► OFF ONE’S EGGS straying; hence, wide of the mark, incorrect, inaccurate, mistaken, in error → 1792 Sc.
► OFF THE BEAM incorrect, wrong, mistaken; not pertinent or applicable; functioning poorly → 1942 US sl.
► OFF THE RAILS errant, mistaken → L19 sl.
► OFF THE TRACK misbehaving, making mistakes, being inconsistent → 20C sl.
► OFF TRACK misbehaving, making mistakes, being inconsistent → 20C sl.
► OUT OF ONE’S BOX crazy, insane; foolishly wrong, mistaken → 1966 Amer. dial.
► OUT OF THERE mistaken → 1967 US students’ sl. (Bk.)
► UP THE POLE muddled, confused, wrong, in error, mistaken → L19 sl.
► UP THE WRONG ALLEY mistaken → 1952 US sl.
► WRONGO mistaken, inept, prone to error → 1950s US sl.

ADVERBS
► ADWOLE in error, erroneously, mistakenly → a1250 obs.
► ALL OUT mistaken → 1898 Sc. sl. (Bk.)
► BESIDE THE CUSHION away from the main purpose or argument, beside the mark; erroneously or mistakenly → 1576 obs.
► WIDE OF THE CUSHION away from the main purpose or argument, beside the mark; erroneously or mistakenly → 1690 obs.

INTERJECTIONS & PHRASES
► HAIR IN ONE’S NECK, A a hold over someone, generally arising from a mistake or shortcoming which can be used against one’s reputation, etc. → 1818 Sc.
► IT UNGANGS ME I am deceived; I am mistaken → 1768 Sc. obs.
► MY BAD used to acknowledge responsibility for a mistake → L20 US colloq.
► OOPSIE DOODLES! exclamation used when making a mistake, tripping, etc. → 20C

NOUNS
► AFTER-WIT recognition of a mistake made earlier, leading to a change in one’s actions, views, etc. → 1509 obs.
► APPLE-KNOCKER an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BAD BREAK an error; a serious mistake; a blunder → 1883 US
► BAD POKER a mistake, a foolish move → 1920s US criminals’ sl.
► BALK ► BAULK a slip, a mistake, a blunder → c1430 obs.
► BARNABY an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BARNEY an error, a mistake, a blunder; a piece of bad workmanship → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BARRY (CROCKER) a terrible blunder, mistake, or poor performance → 1996 Aust. rhyming sl. for ‘shocker’  (Bk.)
► BEEF a mistake → 1904 Amer. students’ sl. (Bk.)
► BEEFSTEAK a mistake, a blunder → 1950 Amer. dial.
► BISH a mistake → c1925 UK school usage
► BLOB a mistake, an error, a blunder → 1900 Amer. dial.
► BLOOMER a very great mistake; an error; a failure → 1889 sl.
► BLUE a mistake or error, a blunder → 1941 Aust. & NZ sl.
► BLUNDERHEAD an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BLUP a misfortune or mistake owing to want of foresight → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BLUR a blunder, a mistake, a spoilt piece of work → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BLURRY an error, a mistake → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BOBBLE a mistake, an error, a blunder → 1887 Eng. dial.
► BONE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BONEHEAD an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1918 Amer. dial.
► BONEHEAD BUTCH an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BONEHEADER an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BONEHEAD MOVE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BONEHEAD PLAY an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BONER a stupid mistake → E20 sl., orig.
► BOOB an error, a blunder, a foolish mistake → 1959 sl.
► BOO-BOO a foolish mistake → E20 sl., orig. US
► BOOB STUNT an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BREAK an error, blunder or mistake, often in a social situation; an inappropriate act or word, a faux pas → 1884 Amer. dial.
► BREAKER an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BRODIE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BULL an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BUMBLE a mistake, a blunder; a bungled task → 1823 orig. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► BUST an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BUTCH a mistake, a blunder, an error; in radio & TV: an error made in delivering lines → 1942 US sl.
► CLANGER a faux pas, a mistake, esp. one that attracts attention → 1948 sl.
► CLINKER a mistake or fault, esp. a wrong note in music → 1934 US & Can. sl.
► CLUCK an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► CLUNKER a blunder, a mistake → 1970s US sl.
► CROPPER an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► DEFAULT a failure in what is attempted; an error, mistake → c1386 obs.
► DUMB PLAY an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► DUMB TRICK an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► DUMMY an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► FAUX a mistake → 1980s US students’ sl.
► FLOATER a mistake, a ‘bloomer’ → 1913 sl.
► FOOL ACT an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► FOOL MISTAKE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► FOOL MOVE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► FOOPAW a mistake; a faux pas → 1916 Amer. dial.
► FOUL an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► FOX’S PAW a mistake, a blunder (French faux pas) → L18
► FUCK-UP said of something that’s gone wrong; a mess; a confusion; a blunder, a mistake → 1949 sl. 
► GAFU a colossal mistake; a God Almighty Fuck-Up → 1998 NZ sl.
► GOOF a mistake → 1960s US sl.
► GRANNY a mistake, an error → 1975 Amer. dial.
► HOWLER a funny mistake → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► HUMMER a minor mistake → 1959 US sl.
► IGNOTISM a mistake due to ignorance → 1737 obs.
► JEOFAIL a mistake or error generally → 1546 obs.
► LEFT-TURN an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► MASH a muddle, a mistake → 1793 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► MESSY BOBBLE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► MISBOBBLE a mistake, an error, a blunder → 1912  Amer. dial.
► MISCOBOBBLE a mistake, an error, a blunder → 1968 Amer. dial.
► MISCUE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► MISCUEBOBBLE ► MISKUBOBBLE a mistake, an error, a blunder → 1911 Amer. dial.
► MISDEAL a mistake → L19 US sl.
► MISDO a mistake → 1903 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► MISFIRE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► MISKEN a mistake, misunderstanding → 1903 Eng. dial.   (Bk.)
► MISLICK a poorly delivered or badly aimed stroke or blow; hence a mistake, or error → 1859 Amer. dial.
► MISRECKON a miscalculation, a mistake → 1896 Eng. dial.
► MISS a fault, a defect, a mistake → 1787 Sc. obs.
► MIS-SCRIPT a mistake in writing; a misspelling → 1817
► MISSMENT an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1865 Eng. & Amer. dial.
► MISTENT a mistake, slip → 1821 Sc.
► MISWEM a mistake, a blunder → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► MOPPLE a blunder, a mistake → 1867 Eng. dial.
► MOUSETAKE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► MUFF an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► ODD NUMBER a mistake, an error of judgement, a disadvantage → 1897 Eng. dial.
► PENNY BANGER a mistake, a blunder→ 1958 rhyming sl. for ‘clanger’
► PIGS mistakes, a mess → 20C Royal Air Force sl.
► RAFFLE (TICKET) a mistake → 19C rhyming sl. for ‘ricket’
► RAFFLINGS mistakes; miscalculations → 19C Eng. dial.
► SCREWY MOVE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SCREWY PLAY an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SKEWGEE an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SLIP-UP an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► TRIP-UP an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► WANTROKING despair; false or mistaken expectation → c1315 obs.
► WRONG NUMBER a mistaken idea → 1920s US sl.
► WRONG RIFF a mistake, a blunder → 1930s African-American sl.
► WRONGER an error; a mistake; a blunder → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► WRONGGO ► WRONGO a mistake, an error, a lie → 1930s sl., orig. US

NOUNS – PERSON
► DORYPHORE a person who draws attention to the minor errors made by others, esp. in a pestering manner; one who complains about minor mistakes → 1949
► GOOF someone who makes mistakes or wastes time → 1950s Amer. sl.
► FALLIBLE one who is mistaken → 1705

VERBS
► BACK THE WRONG HORSE to be wrong, to be mistaken; to make an inappropriate choice → 1942 Amer. sl.  (Bk.)
► BALL UP to muddle, to err, to blunder, to make a mistake → L19 sl.
► BALLS UP to make a mess of, to ruin, to blunder, to make a mistake → 1910s sl.
► BARK UP THE WRONG TREE to choose the wrong person to deal with, or the wrong course of action; to mistake an aim → 2004 Amer. colloq. (Bk.)
► BE ALL WET to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BEEF to make a mistake → 1904 Amer. students’ sl. (Bk.)
► BE FULL OF PRUNES to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BE IN THE WRONG BOX to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BE IN THE WRONG PEW to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BE OFF YOUR EGGS to make a mistake, to be on the wrong tack → 1844 Sc.
► BE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE HEDGE to be mistaken, to err → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BLOB to make a mistake → 1900 Amer. dial.
► BLOW to make a mistake → 1995 US sl. (Bk.)
► BLOW IT BIG TIME to make a terrible mistake → 1995 US sl. (Bk.)
► BLOW ONE’S STACK to get excited and make a series of mistakes → 1944 service sl. (Bk.)
► BLURRY to commit an error, to make a mistake → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BOBBLE to make a slight turn or twist from a direct or straight line; hence; to make a break or mistake → 1908 Amer. dial.
► BOOB to make a foolish mistake → M20 sl.
► BREAK THE MOLASSES JUG to make a mistake and come to grief → 19C Amer.
► BULL to make a mistake → 1914 US students’ sl. (Bk.)
► CHUMP OUT to make a mistake; to blunder → 1960s African-American sl.
► COME A GUTZER to come a cropper; to make a mistake → 1918 Air Force sl.
► COUNT ONE’S EGGS to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► CRACK THE BELL to fail, to muddle things, to make a mistake, to ruin it → 1909 Cockneys’ sl.
► CRY CREAK to confess oneself beaten or in error; to give in → 1562 obs.
► CUT A GUT to make a mistake, esp. an embarrassing one; to do something silly or foolish; to fail in a task → 1923 Amer. dial.
► CUT A HOG to make an embarrassing mistake; to blunder, to make a mess of things → 1935 African-American sl.
► DROP A CLANGER to make a social faux pas, to make a mistake that attracts attention → 1942 
► DROP A GOOLIE to make a mistake → 1961 UK sl.
► DROP AN OAR IN THE WATER to make a mistake → 1998 UK sl.
► DROP ONE’S CANDY to make a big blunder or serious mistake; to do something to cause the failure of a plan → 1905 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► DULL to make a bad or stupid mistake → 1914 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► FALL DOWN ► FALL DOWN ON to make a bad mistake or error; to blunder → c1935 colloq.
► FALL FLAT ON ONE’S FACE ► FALL ON ONE’S FACE to make an embarrassing mistake, failed attempt, catastrophic decline, etc. → 1970s Amer. sl.
► FAULT to make a mistake, to be in error, to blunder → 1530 obs.
► FAUX to make a mistake → 1980s US students’ sl.
► FIRE INTO THE WRONG FLOCK to be mistaken; to blunder; to ‘bark up the wrong tree’ → 1835 Amer. dial.
► FLUNK to fail; to blunder; to make a mistake → L19 US sl.
► FUCK THE DOG to make a mistake; to fail; to spoil or put an end to something → 1963 sl.
► GET IN BAD to make a mistake or false move → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► GET THE WRONG BULL BY THE HORNS to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► GET THE WRONG END OF THE TETHER to make a mistake; to misunderstand → 1884 Eng. dial.
► GET THE WRONG PIG BY THE EAR to make a mistake → 1546 colloq.
► GET THE WRONG PIG BY THE TAIL to make a mistake in selection → 1905 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► GET THE WRONG SOW BY THE EAR to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► GO OFF THE RAILS to blunder, to make a mistake → L19 sl.
► GOOF ► GOOF IT to blunder, to make a mistake → 1940s sl.
► GOOF UP to make a big mistake → 1995 US sl. (Bk.)
► HALLUCINATE to be deceived, to suffer illusion, to entertain false notions, to blunder, to mistake → 1652 obs.
► HARPOON A BOTTLE-NOSE to make a gross mistake → 1849-50 Ireland
► HAVE ANOTHER GUESS COMING to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► HAVE BEEN READING BOOKS to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► HAVE THE WRONG PIG BY THE EAR to take an incorrect view; to arrive at the wrong conclusion, solution, etc.; to be mistaken → 1536
► HAVE THE WRONG SLANT to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► LET THE HOGS OUT  to make an embarrassing mistake → 1954 Amer. dial.
► LET THE MULES OUT to make an embarrassing mistake → 1954 Amer. dial.
► MAFFLE to blunder, to make mistakes, to muddle → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► MAKE A BLUE to make a mistake or error; to blunder → 1961 Aust. & NZ sl.
► MAKE A BUST to make an error in judgement; to be wrong or mistaken → 1965 Amer. dial.
► MAKE A FLASH to make a mistake → 1968 Amer. dial.
► MIFF to blunder; to make a mistake; to botch something → 1967 Amer. dial.
► MISDOUBT to mistake, to be mistaken → 1891 Sc.  
► MISKEN to mistake, not to recognize, to be ignorant of; to ignore, to disown, to refuse to notice → 1660 Sc. & Eng. dial.  
► MISMEAN to misspeak, to make a mistake → 1899 Amer. dial.
► MISS STAYS to fail, to make a mistake → 1907 Amer. dial.
► MISS THE CUSHION to miss the mark, to make a mistake, to err → a1529 obs.
► MISSTAY to fail, to make a mistake → 1916 Amer. dial.
► PAY ONE’S DUES to pay for making a mistake → 1960s Amer. sl.
► PLAY A DEAD ONE to waste one’s time; to act mistakenly → M19 sl.
► PLAY WHALEY to blunder, to fail; to play havoc with something; to spoil, to ruin; to make a mistake → 1897 Amer. dial.
► PRANG IN to make a very serious mistake → 1968 US students’ sl. (Bk.)
► PULL A BONE to make a stupid mistake → 1926 US sl. (Bk.)
► PULL A BONER to make a stupid mistake → US sl.
► PULL A BUST to make an error in judgement; to be wrong or mistaken → 1965 Amer. dial.
► PULL THE WRONG PIG BY THE EAR to make a mistake → 1546 colloq.
► PULL THE WRONG SOW BY THE EAR to make a mistake → 1546 colloq.
► PUT ONE’S FOOT IN ONE’S MOUTH to make an embarrassing verbal mistake, discomfiting oneself as well as the hearer → 1940s sl.
► PUT THE SADDLE ON THE WRONG HORSE to be wrong, to be mistaken → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SHOOT AT A PIGEON AND KILL A CROW to blunder wilfully; to make a mistake → 1869
► SHOOT ONE’S GRANDMOTHER to make a great mistake; to be disappointed; to think you have discovered what was well known before → 1855 Amer.
► SKID► SKIDS to blunder, to make a mistake, to decline → 1920s US sl.
► SKIP A COG to make a mistake or error → 1945 US Western sl. (Bk.)
► SLIP UP to make a mistake → 1855 US sl.
► STEP ON IT to blunder, to make a serious mistake → 1970 US Army sl.
► STEP ON ONE’S DICK to blunder, to make a serious mistake → 1970 US Army sl.
► STEP ON ONE’S SHVANTZ to blunder, to make a serious mistake → 1970 US Army sl.
► TAKE A STINK FOR A NOSEGAY to be extremely gullible; to mistake egregiously → 19C
► UPTRIP to cause someone to make a mistake or commit a fault → 1856 Amer. dial.