mend their ways

USAGE SUMMARY

"mend their ways" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to change one's behavior or habits for the better. Example: After getting in trouble with the law, James decided to mend his ways and focus on his education.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They must pull up their socks and mend their ways".

The New York Times

The artists later promised to mend their ways.

The Guardian

Perhaps it would take a default for Paraguay's politicians finally to mend their ways.

The Economist

At least six more debt collection companies signed agreements promising to mend their ways.

The New York Times

Unless the Chinese mend their ways, the same fate awaits them in Africa.

The Guardian - Opinion

You might think that ­payment would force straggling dads to mend their ways.

The Guardian

Rather the reverse: there is no longer any outside pressure on the autocrats to mend their ways.

The Economist

For months afterwards the country's omnipresent security services were in disarray and sullenly promised to mend their ways.

The Economist

But the Saudis need to be made aware that if they are to survive, they must mend their ways.

Independent

He'll take any job; this week he's pursuing rogue quad bikers on foot to persuade them to mend their ways.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A magistrate said yesterday that only the prospect of jail persuades many offenders to mend their ways.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mend their ways" when you want to emphasize a change in behavior that addresses previous misconduct or negative habits. It implies a deliberate effort to correct past errors.

Common error

Avoid using "mend their ways" in contexts where a simple improvement or adjustment is needed. The phrase carries a connotation of correcting past wrongdoings, so it is not appropriate for minor adjustments or general self-improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mend their ways" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a change in behavior, typically after someone has been behaving badly. Ludwig AI confirms this expression is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mend their ways" is a correct and frequently used idiomatic expression that describes a change in behavior for the better, usually after some form of misconduct. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as formal and business settings. While generally neutral in register, it's less suitable for highly formal or technical writing. Alternatives include "rectify their behavior" and "improve their habits". It's best used when addressing situations where past wrongdoings need to be corrected, rather than for simple improvements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rectify their behavior

Focuses on correcting or setting right specific actions or behaviors.

clean up their act

Focuses on eliminating negative or problematic behaviors.

reform their conduct

Emphasizes a significant and positive change in overall behavior.

change for the better

A general expression indicating positive transformation in behavior or circumstances.

redeem themselves

Suggests making amends for past mistakes and improving one's reputation.

improve their habits

Highlights the betterment of routine behaviors.

correct their deficiencies

Highlights the improvement of specific weaknesses or shortcomings in behavior.

turn over a new leaf

An idiomatic expression indicating a fresh start and a commitment to better behavior.

get their act together

Implies organizing and improving one's behavior or performance.

straighten up and fly right

An informal phrase suggesting immediate and proper behavioral change.

FAQs

What does "mend their ways" mean?

The phrase "mend their ways" means to improve one's behavior, typically after behaving badly or making mistakes. It suggests a deliberate effort to correct past wrongdoings and adopt better habits.

How can I use "mend their ways" in a sentence?

You can use "mend their ways" to describe someone who is changing their negative behavior. For example: "After the scandal, the company promised to "rectify their behavior" and "mend their ways"."

What are some alternatives to "mend their ways"?

Alternatives to "mend their ways" include "improve their habits", "reform their conduct", and "clean up their act". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "mend their ways" formal or informal?

"Mend their ways" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. It's suitable for news articles, general conversation, and some business contexts, but may be too informal for highly formal or academic writing.