1 [+ obj] : to make (something broken or damaged) usable again : to repair (something broken or damaged)
▪ Dad's trying to mend [=fix] the roof. ▪ The town needs to mend these roads. ▪ Fishermen were mending their nets. ▪ She spent the evening mending (the holes in) her socks. ▪ mending a torn sleeve = mending a tear in a sleeve — often used figuratively ▪ He's trying to mend his reputation. ▪ We've mended our differences [=stopped arguing] and agreed on a plan. 2 : to heal or cure (a broken bone, a sad feeling, etc.) [+ obj] ▪ Surgery was needed to mend (the break in) the bone. ▪ Only time can mend a broken heart. [=make someone stop being sad] [no obj] ▪ Her arm mended slowly after surgery. ▪ His broken heart never completely mended.
▪ Dad's trying to mend [=fix] the roof. ▪ The town needs to mend these roads. ▪ Fishermen were mending their nets. ▪ She spent the evening mending (the holes in) her socks. ▪ mending a torn sleeve = mending a tear in a sleeve — often used figuratively ▪ He's trying to mend his reputation. ▪ We've mended our differences [=stopped arguing] and agreed on a plan.
mend fences or mend your fences
: to improve or repair a relationship that has been damaged by an argument or disagreement
▪ She mended fences with her father. ▪ They are trying to mend their fences. ▪ After the election, he spent a lot of time mending political fences.
▪ She mended fences with her father. ▪ They are trying to mend their fences. ▪ After the election, he spent a lot of time mending political fences.
mend your ways
: to change or improve your behavior : to stop behaving badly
▪ It's time (for you) to mend your ways. ▪ She told her teenage son to start mending his ways.
▪ It's time (for you) to mend your ways. ▪ She told her teenage son to start mending his ways.
— mend·er noun, plural mend·ers [count]
▪ road menders
▪ road menders




