How do you use "On the mend" in a sentence?

Grandad's on the mend now. I'm on the mend—should be back at work Monday. Good to hear you're on the mend.

On the mend

Q: What does "On the mend" mean?

Recovering from illness or injury. When someone's 'on the mend,' they're past the worst and recovering. It's optimistic without being presumptuous—acknowledging that recovery is underway while respecting that they're not fully well yet. The phrase works for physical illness, injury, or even metaphorical recovery (a relationship on the mend). It's how you describe someone who's turned the corner.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

Meaning: Recovering from illness or injury.

正在恢复；病后好转中。

Recuperándose; mejorando tras una enfermedad.

回復中、病気のあと良くなってきている。

회복 중인, 나아지고 있는.

When someone's 'on the mend,' they're past the worst and recovering. It's optimistic without being presumptuous—acknowledging that recovery is underway while respecting that they're not fully well yet. The phrase works for physical illness, injury, or even metaphorical recovery (a relationship on the mend). It's how you describe someone who's turned the corner.

「on the mend」意思是正在康复——最糟糕的时候已经过去，在好转。「She's on the mend」是乐观的说法，表示恢复正在进行中。典型的英式含蓄安慰。

«On the mend» significa estar recuperándose, haber pasado lo peor y estar mejorando. «She's on the mend» es optimista, sugiere que la recuperación va por buen camino. Típica forma británica discreta de tranquilizar.

「on the mend」は回復中という意味——最悪の時期を過ぎて良くなってきている。「She's on the mend」は前向きな表現で、回復が進んでいることを示す。イギリス的な控えめな安心を与える言い方。

누군가가 'on the mend'라면 최악의 고비는 넘기고 회복 중이라는 뜻이다. 지나치게 단정짓지 않으면서 낙관적인 표현으로, 회복이 진행 중임을 인정하면서도 아직 완전히 낫지는 않았음을 존중한다. 신체적 질병이나 부상뿐 아니라 비유적 회복(회복 중인 관계)에도 쓸 수 있다. 고비를 넘긴 사람을 묘사하는 표현이다.

Examples

Grandad's on the mend now.
听说你在好转，太好了
Me alegro de que te estés recuperando
「回復してきてると聞いて良かった」
할아버지가 이제 회복 중이야.
I'm on the mend—should be back at work Monday.
谢天谢地，她在恢复了
Gracias a Dios, ya se está recuperando
「おかげさまで彼女は回復してきています」
나아지고 있어—월요일에는 출근할 수 있을 거야.
Good to hear you're on the mend.
需要时间，但他确实在好转
Llevará tiempo, pero sin duda está mejorando
「時間はかかるけど確実に良くなってきている」
회복 중이라니 다행이야.

Pronunciation

/ɒn ðə mend/

Usage Guide

Context: recovery, health updates, good news

Tone: optimistic, reassuring

✓ Do Say

On the mend
在恢复中
Recuperándose
回復に向かっている
회복 중이다
Getting on the mend
正在好转
Mejorando poco a poco
だんだん良くなってきている
점점 나아지고 있다
Finally on the mend
终于开始好转了
Por fin recuperándose
やっと回復してきた
드디어 나아지기 시작했다

✗ Don't Say

Premature to use if someone has just fallen ill—wait for signs of recovery
如果某人刚生病就用这个词太早了——要等到有恢复迹象时再说
Es prematuro usarlo si alguien acaba de caer enfermo, espera a que haya señales de mejoría
病気になったばかりの人に使うのは時期尚早——回復の兆しを待つ
막 아프기 시작한 사람에게 쓰기엔 이르다—회복 기미가 보일 때까지 기다려라

Common Mistakes

Implies improvement has begun—not appropriate for ongoing decline
Can be used metaphorically for relationships, situations, not just health

Origin & History

The phrase comes from 'mend' meaning to repair or fix. It has been used in English since at least the 16th century for recovery from illness. The phrase implies active improvement—things are being 'mended' even as we speak.

Etymology: From 'mend' meaning to repair

First recorded: 16th century

Cultural Context

Era: 16th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Universal English idiom.

Variations

On the mendGetting on the mend