mend fences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mend fences" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to repair or improve damaged relationships, especially between people who have had a disagreement or conflict. Example: After their fight, John and Mark needed to mend fences before their friendship could return to normal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Armstrong wants to mend fences.

The Guardian - Sport

Mend fences, if they need mending.

The New York Times

Neither man tried hard to mend fences.

The New York Times - Books

*Check water sources, mend fences as needed.

Cornell University

*Check and mend fences as needed.

Cornell University

Andretti is trying to mend fences.

The New York Times - Sports

Recently Mr. Schumer has tried to mend fences.

The New York Times

Mr. Gibson has sought to mend fences with the bishops.

The New York Times

We use the positive parts of memory to mend fences".

The New York Times

I was there on business, not to mend fences.

The New Yorker

On Wednesday, the two sides sought to mend fences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mend fences" when you want to emphasize the effort required to repair a damaged relationship or situation, especially after a specific conflict or disagreement. It implies a deliberate act of reconciliation.

Common error

Avoid using "mend fences" in contexts related to physical fences. The phrase is idiomatic and primarily used in reference to relationships and abstract situations, not literal barriers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mend fences" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It's used to describe the action of repairing or improving damaged relationships, especially after disagreements. Ludwig and its examples confirm its primary grammatical role in conveying reconciliation and conflict resolution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mend fences" is a very common idiomatic expression used to describe the process of repairing damaged relationships, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, focus on its figurative meaning related to reconciliation. Alternatives include "repair a relationship" or "patch things up", depending on the desired level of formality. Always consider the context and avoid literal interpretations related to physical fences. This idiom is very useful in many scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repair a relationship

Focuses specifically on the act of repairing a bond between individuals.

reconcile differences

Emphasizes the act of resolving disagreements and finding common ground.

patch things up

More informal, suggesting a quick and simple resolution to a problem.

restore harmony

Highlights the re-establishment of a peaceful and agreeable state.

soothe tensions

Highlights the act of reducing stress or strain in a relationship or situation.

build bridges

Focuses on creating connections and understanding between parties.

make amends

Suggests taking action to correct a wrong and repair a relationship.

improve relations

A more general term for making relationships better, without necessarily implying conflict.

resolve conflict

Emphasizes the act of ending a dispute or struggle.

appease someone

Focuses on pacifying or satisfying someone who is upset.

FAQs

How to use "mend fences" in a sentence?

You can use "mend fences" to describe efforts to repair damaged relationships. For example, "After the argument, they tried to "mend fences" by having an open and honest conversation".

What can I say instead of "mend fences"?

You can use alternatives like "repair a relationship", "patch things up", or "reconcile differences" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "mend fences"?

It's appropriate to use "mend fences" when describing actions taken to restore a positive relationship after a period of conflict or estrangement. It's often used in political, business, and personal contexts.

What's the difference between "mend fences" and "build bridges"?

"Mend fences" implies that there was an existing relationship that has been damaged and needs repair. "Build bridges" suggests creating new connections or improving understanding between parties that may not have had a strong relationship before.