mend (redirected from mends manners)

It is never too late to mend.

Prov. It is never too late to apologize for something you have done or try to repair something you have done wrong. Sue: I still miss Tony, but it's been a year since our big fight and we haven't spoken to each other since. Mother: Well, it's never too late to mend; why don't you call him up and apologize?

See also: late, never

mend (one's) fences

1. Lit. to repair fences as part of one's chores. Tom is mending fences today at the south end of the ranch.

2. Fig. to restore good relations (with someone). I think I had better get home and mend my fences. I had an argument with my daughter this morning. Sally called up her uncle to apologize and try to mend fences.

mend one's ways

Fig. to improve one's behavior. John used to be very wild, but he's mended his ways. You'll have to mend your ways if you go out with Mary. She hates people to be late.

See also: ways

on the mend

getting better; becoming healthy again. I cared for my father while he was on the mend. I took a leave of absence from work while I was on the mend.

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be on the mend

if you are on the mend, your health is improving after an illness He's still a bit tired but he's definitely on the mend.

change/mend your ways

to improve the way in which you behave If he wants to carry on living here, he's going to have to change his ways.

See also: change, ways

make do and mend  (British old-fashioned)

to manage with less than you would like, by repairing old things instead of buying new ones Our family never had any new furniture. We just had to make do and mend.

See also: and, make

mend (your) fences

to try to become friendly again with someone after an argument (usually + with ) China is trying to mend fences with Russia after the recent border dispute.

See change ways

See also: fence

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change your ways also mend your ways

to improve your behavior If he wants to continue living here, he's going to have to change his ways.

See also: change, ways

mend (your) fences

to repair a relationship with someone The mayor is trying to mend fences with members of the city council so they will approve his plan.

See also: fence

on the mend

getting better after an illness, injury, or a bad period He's on the mend and walking a mile a day after a mild heart attack. With fewer people out of work, the economy is clearly on the mend.