make no mistake

make no mistake

1. Be assured; be certain.

   Synonym: believe me

   • 2001 September 11, quoting George W. Bush, “Full transcript of George Bush's statement”, in The Guardian‎:

     Make no mistake. The United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.

   • 2010, Peter V. Brett, The Desert Spear, page 384:

     “Make no mistake, they come to kill and rape until the entire Northland is levied into their army.”

   • 2023 May 17, Phil McNulty, “Manchester City 4 - 0 Real Madrid”, in BBC Sport‎:

     City have lost two previous semi-finals to Real but they made no mistake here at a joyous Etihad Stadium to now stand one step away from claiming the trophy that has always stayed tantalisingly out of reach for Pep Guardiola's team.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see make,‎ no,‎ mistake.

Usually used in the imperative mood, often followed by a warning about something unpleasant to be expected.