mend fences with

USAGE SUMMARY

"mend fences with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used in the context of repairing a damaged relationship between two people, as in the following example sentence: "She felt it was time to mend fences with her estranged brother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Mr Abe helped mend fences with both countries in 2006-07.

The Economist

For Ms. McCaskill, the endorsement is also a chance to mend fences with the Clintons.

The New York Times

Mr Obama is said to have pleaded with Mr Erdogan to mend fences with Israel.

The Economist

Mr Rajapaksa has recently tried to mend fences with Tamil opposition politicians.

The Economist

On whether he feels he had to mend fences with Bruins players after the lockout.

The New York Times

In March Mr Sanader began to mend fences with Serbia, with which relations have been poor.

The Economist

His first priority must be to mend fences with his opponents, and with Russia.

The Economist

An early priority was to mend fences with composers who felt poorly treated by C.R.I.

The New York Times - Arts

As opponents mobilized, conservatives sought to mend fences with the White House.

The New York Times

Rouhani aims to mend fences with big powers and get sanctions lifted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To effectively "mend fences with" someone, focus on sincere communication, understanding their perspective, and taking responsibility for your part in the conflict. A genuine apology can go a long way in rebuilding trust.

Common error

Avoid using "mend fences with" in situations where the relationship is generally good or hasn't experienced a significant conflict. It's not a general term for maintaining relationships, but rather for repairing them after a specific issue.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "mend fences with" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to restore a damaged relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. For instance, "He sought to mend fences with the bishops" illustrates its use in repairing professional relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mend fences with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used idiomatic phrase that describes the action of repairing a damaged relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various contexts, primarily within news and media. It is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for a wide range of communication scenarios. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "repair relationships with" or "improve relations with", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repair relationships with

Focuses on fixing broken relationships more broadly.

improve relations with

Focuses on making the relationship better, not necessarily fixing something broken.

rebuild bridges with

Implies creating a connection that was previously absent, suggesting a more significant effort.

restore harmony with

Emphasizes achieving a state of peace and agreement.

foster reconciliation with

Implies actively encouraging a friendly relationship after estrangement.

patch things up with

A more informal way of saying to resolve a dispute.

settle disputes with

Specifically addresses resolving conflicts or arguments.

make amends with

Suggests an effort to compensate for past wrongdoings.

resolve differences with

Highlights the act of addressing and settling disagreements.

appease differences with

Implies passively encourage a friendly relationship after estrangement.

FAQs

How can I use "mend fences with" in a sentence?

You can use "mend fences with" to describe actions taken to repair a damaged relationship, such as: "After the argument, she tried to "mend fences with" her neighbor by bringing over a peace offering".

What does it mean to "mend fences with" someone?

To "mend fences with" someone means to try to repair a damaged relationship or resolve a dispute, often by making amends or seeking reconciliation.

What's a less common alternative to "mend fences with"?

A less common alternative to "mend fences with" is to "foster reconciliation with", which suggests actively encouraging a friendly relationship after estrangement.

How does "mend fences with" differ from "improve relations with"?

"Mend fences with" implies repairing a damaged relationship, while "improve relations with" suggests making an already existing relationship better without a history of major conflict.