- Recovering from an illness, injury, or sometimes emotional distress. Getting better.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from the verb to mend, meaning to repair or fix something that is broken or damaged (like mending clothes or a fence).
- Applied metaphorically to the body or mind repairing itself after illness or injury.
- On the... structure suggests being in the process of repair.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Getting back on their feet. (Recovering, becoming independent again)
- Bouncing back. (Recovering quickly or resiliently)
Milder/More Formal:
- His/Her condition is improving.
- The recovery process is underway.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in most situations, informal to semi-formal.
- A common and positive way to describe recovery.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers need to connect mend (repair) to the context of health recovery.
Examples
- She had the flu last week, but she's on the mend now.
- His broken leg is healing well; he's definitely on the mend.
- After the difficult breakup, he took some time off and is slowly on the mend.
Dialogue
Alice: How's your mom doing after her surgery?
Bob: Much better, thanks for asking. She's finally on the mend. Came home from the hospital yesterday.
Alice: Oh, that's wonderful news! I'm so glad to hear she's recovering well.
Bob: Yeah, we're all relieved.
Social Media Examples
- Update Post: Thanks for all the well wishes! Happy to report I'm on the mend after that nasty bug. 😊 #Recovery #FeelingBetter
- Comment on someone's post about being sick: So glad to hear you're on the mend!
- Tweet: My dog is finally on the mend after his vet visit. Relief! 🙏 #DogLife #Pets
Response Patterns
- That's great news!
- Glad to hear it.
- Good to hear you're/they're feeling better.
- Hope the recovery continues smoothly.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing someone is on the mend:
- Ask: How are they feeling now? / When will they be fully recovered? / Is there anything they still need?
- Action: Express relief and continued well wishes.
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually a response to an inquiry about someone's health or an update provided.
Intonation
- Usually said with a hopeful or positive tone. Stress on mend. She's on the MEND.
Generation Differences
- Widely used and understood by all generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.