make no mistake

make no mistake

1. Be assured; be certain.

   Synonym: believe me

   • 2001 September 11, George W. Bush, quotee, “Full transcript of George Bush's statement”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     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.”

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see make,‎ no,‎ mistake.
   • 2023 November 11, Matthew Howarth, “Arsenal 3-1 Burnley”, in BBC Sport:

     Kai Havertz - who endured another frustrating afternoon - should have done better from a Saka corner and Trossard had another powerful drive tipped over by Trafford, but the Belgian made no mistake after Saka rose highest to steer a Zinchenko delivery into his path.

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