mend fences

Meaning

This idiom means to repair a damaged relationship, resolve a disagreement, or make peace with someone after a conflict. It is often used when trying to rebuild trust or goodwill, especially with neighbors, family members, or business associates. It carries a constructive, reconciliatory tone.

Examples

• After not speaking for years, the two brothers finally met to mend fences.

  After not speaking for years, the two brothers finally met to mend fences.

• She felt it was time to mend fences with her former boss before starting her new job.

  She felt it was time to mend fences with her former boss before starting her new job.

• He tried to mend fences by apologizing for his rude behavior at the party.

  He tried to mend fences by apologizing for his rude behavior at the party.

• It's hard to mend fences when the other person is still holding onto so much anger.

  It's hard to mend fences when the other person is still holding onto so much anger.

• The diplomat's main goal was to mend fences between the two neighboring countries.

  The diplomat's main goal was to mend fences between the two neighboring countries.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They tried to fix fences after their big argument.

  ✓ They tried to mend fences after their big argument.

  The idiom is fixed to the verb 'mend'. Replacing it with 'fix' or 'repair' sounds unnatural and ruins the idiom.

• ✗ I need to mend fences to my sister.

  ✓ I need to mend fences with my sister.

  You mend fences 'with' someone, not 'to' or 'for' them.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After their massive argument last week, they are finally trying to ___.

  💡 Rebuild a damaged relationship.

  Show answer

  mend fences

• It takes a lot of humility to admit you were wrong and ___ with an old friend.

  💡 Verb phrase meaning to make peace.

  Show answer

  mend fences