To mistake the character of the man one is dealing with.
1794. If he supposes I am to be frightened by his pompous accusations, he has much mistaken his man.—Mass. Spy, April 16.
1800. The little alarmist Jacobin doctor found he had mistaken his man.—The Aurora, Phila., Nov. 28.
1804. It seems that in one instance the General Committee have mistaken their man.—Mass. Spy, Sept. 5.
1834. You mistake your man, my very good sir.—W. G. Simms, ‘Guy Rivers,’ i. 19 (N.Y., 1837).
1837. Did the gentleman think he could frighten me from my purpose by the threat of a Grand Jury? If that was his object, let me tell him he mistook his man.—J. Q. Adams, House of Repr., Feb. 9: Cong. Globe, p. 264, App.
1841. Mr. Gordon of New York said that gentlemen mistook their man if they supposed he was to be affected by the machinery of the political party.—The same, June 18: id., p. 75.
[1842. The phrase to know one’s man was used by Mr. Adams and Mr. Marshall, the same, Feb. 5: id., p. 980, App.]
