mend your ties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mend your ties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to repairing or improving relationships or connections with others. Example: "After the argument, it was important for them to mend their ties and restore their friendship."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If you know that you have grievances, attempt to mend your ties or cut out discussing the issues at all.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Slowly mend your relationship.

WikiHow

This will not mend your marriage.

WikiHow

Blood?" will not mend your marriage.

WikiHow

Just talking to them might mend your friendship.

WikiHow

Try to mend your friendship slowly with her.

WikiHow

And, the outsider... Gary Go 100/1 With his library pallor, nice tie and geeky specs, 24-year-old songwriter Gary Baker looks like someone you'd be more likely to find mending your computer than supporting Take That.

Independent

Mending your broken heart isn't impossible.

Huffington Post

The governor has sought to mend those ties.

The New York Times

In their efforts to mend their ties, Egyptian and Saudi officials dismissed the protesters, suggesting they had acted selfishly.

The New York Times

He needs to mend his ties with Capitol Hill in the months ahead when military reform is likely to face its most crucial budget tests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mend your ties", consider the context. It implies that the relationship was previously strong but has become damaged or strained and needs repair. Use it when the intention is to rebuild a connection, not create one from scratch.

Common error

Avoid using "mend your ties" when a relationship never existed in the first place. "Mending" implies a prior state of connection that needs restoration, not the initiation of a new bond.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mend your ties" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the act of repairing or restoring a relationship or connection. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, although with a limited number of examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mend your ties" is a correct and usable idiom that describes the action of repairing or improving relationships. Ludwig AI highlights its use in both news and wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While its usage is infrequent, the phrase effectively conveys the intention of restoring connections that have been damaged or strained. Alternatives like "repair your relationships" or "restore connections" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remembering that "mending" implies a prior connection is key to proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repair your relationships

Focuses specifically on the act of repairing broken relationships, emphasizing the damage that needs fixing.

restore connections

Highlights the act of bringing back connections that have been lost or weakened.

improve relations

Suggests a general betterment of the way people or entities interact, without necessarily implying prior damage.

reconcile differences

Emphasizes resolving disagreements and conflicts as a means to restore harmony.

patch things up

An informal way of saying to repair a relationship after a disagreement.

build bridges

Focuses on creating understanding and connection between parties that are distant or in conflict.

foster goodwill

Emphasizes the cultivation of positive feelings and cooperative attitudes.

heal rifts

Highlights the process of closing divides and repairing breaches between people or groups.

cement relationships

Suggests strengthening existing relationships to make them more solid and enduring.

cultivate harmony

Focuses on nurturing a state of peaceful coexistence and cooperation.

FAQs

How can I use "mend your ties" in a sentence?

You can use "mend your ties" in sentences such as: "After the argument, they tried to "mend their ties"" or "The company sought to "mend ties" with its suppliers after the dispute".

What does "mend your ties" mean?

"Mend your ties" means to repair or improve a relationship or connection that has been damaged or weakened. It suggests restoring a bond to a previous state of strength and harmony.

What are some alternatives to "mend your ties"?

Some alternatives to "mend your ties" include "repair your relationships", "restore connections", or "improve relations". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "mend your ties" in a formal setting?

Yes, "mend your ties" can be used in formal settings, particularly when discussing diplomatic relations, business partnerships, or professional relationships that have experienced conflict or strain. More formal alternatives like "improve relations" might be preferable in highly formal contexts.