mend

mend¹ [mend] v

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1¦(repair)¦

2¦(become healthy)¦

3 mend your ways

4 mend (your) fences

5¦(end a quarrel)¦

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[Date: 1100-1200; Origin: amend]

1.) ¦(REPAIR)¦ [T]

a) to repair a tear or hole in a piece of clothing

▪ My father used to mend our shoes.

b) BrE to repair something that is broken or not working

= ↑fix

▪ When are you going to mend that light in the hall?

▪ Tim can mend any broken toy.

see usage note ↑repair¹

2.) ¦(BECOME HEALTHY)¦ [i]informal

if a broken bone mends, it becomes whole again

▪ His leg isn't mending as quickly as he'd expected.

3.) mend your ways

to improve the way you behave after behaving badly for a long time

▪ If he doesn't mend his ways, he'll be asked to leave.

4.) mend (your) fences

to try to become friendly with someone again after you have offended them or argued with them

▪ Is it too late to mend fences with your ex-wife?

5.) ¦(END A QUARREL)¦ [T]

to end a quarrel or difficult situation by dealing with the problem that is causing it

▪ I've tried to mend matters between us, but she's still very angry.

mend ²

mend² n

1.) be on the mend

to be getting better after an illness or after a difficult period

▪ He's had flu, but he's on the mend.

▪ signs that the economy is on the mend

2.) a place in something where it has been repaired