on the mend

Meaning

This expression means recovering from an illness, injury, or a difficult situation. It is commonly used in casual conversations to reassure someone that your health or circumstances are improving. The tone is positive and hopeful.

Examples

• I had a nasty flu last week, but I'm finally on the mend.

  I had a nasty flu last week, but I'm finally on the mend.

• How is your grandmother doing after her surgery? Is she on the mend?

  How is your grandmother doing after her surgery? Is she on the mend?

• The doctor said my sprained ankle is on the mend, so I can start walking again soon.

  The doctor said my sprained ankle is on the mend, so I can start walking again soon.

• After a rough couple of months, their relationship seems to be on the mend.

  After a rough couple of months, their relationship seems to be on the mend.

• She's been resting all weekend and is definitely on the mend now.

  She's been resting all weekend and is definitely on the mend now.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am in the mend now.

  ✓ I am on the mend now.

  We always use the preposition 'on' with this expression, never 'in'.

• ✗ He is on the mending.

  ✓ He is on the mend.

  The phrase uses the noun form 'mend', not the gerund 'mending'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• My cold was terrible on Monday, but luckily I'm ___ now.

  💡 Recovering from an illness.

  Show answer

  on the mend

• It takes time to heal, but your knee is definitely ___.

  💡 Improving in health.

  Show answer

  on the mend