By mistake Meaning in English
expression
ˈbaɪ/ /mɪˈsteɪk
BY mi-STAYK
bˈaɪ/ /mɪstˈeɪk
BY mist-AYK
Definition
If you do something 'by mistake', you do it accidentally or without meaning to.
Usage & Nuances
'By mistake' is informal and commonly used after the verb: 'I called her by mistake.' Not usually used at the beginning of a sentence. Don't confuse with 'by accident' (similar meaning) or 'on purpose' (opposite meaning).
Spanish: por errorPortuguese (BR): por enganoPortuguese (PT): por enganoChinese (Simplified): 不小心 - 误打误撞Chinese (Traditional): 不小心 - 誤打誤撞Hindi: गलती सेArabic: عن طريق الخطأBengali: ভুল করে - অসাবধানতাবশতRussian: по ошибкеJapanese: 間違えてVietnamese: nhầm - vô ýKorean: 실수로Turkish: yanlışlıklaUrdu: غلطی سےIndonesian: tidak sengaja
Example Sentences
I sent the email to the wrong person by mistake.
basic
She broke the cup by mistake.
basic
He called me by mistake last night.
basic
Sorry, I grabbed your bag by mistake.
natural
You deleted the file by mistake? No worries, I have a backup.
natural
I think I sent that message to the group chat by mistake. Oops!
natural