mistaken identity

Noun

Meaning

A case of false belief that someone is someone else.
The police arrested the wrong man; the media reported it as a case of mistaken identity.

(law) A defense in criminal law based on this situation, claiming that any eyewitnesses to a crime incorrectly thought that they saw the defendant.

Examples

Some of the biggest cases of mistaken identity are among intellectuals who have trouble remembering that they are not God. Thomas Sowell

What is your trouble? Mistaken identity. Wei Wu Wei

The whole campaign was a tragic case of mistaken identity. George McGovern

Mistaken identity claims There have been claims that Jarrah was not a hijacker or that he was not present on the plane and his identity was stolen. Source: Internet

Legacy Mistaken identity Controversy over Omari's identity erupted shortly after the attacks. Source: Internet

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