The idiom "mend fences" means to repair or restore a damaged relationship or to make amends with someone after a disagreement or argument. It is often used to describe the act of reconciling with someone after a conflict or misunderstanding.
For example, if two friends have a disagreement and stop talking to each other, one of them might say, "I think it's time we mend fences and try to work things out." This means that they want to repair the relationship and move forward.
The phrase "mend fences" comes from the practice of repairing fences that have been damaged or broken. In the past, farmers and ranchers would often have to mend their fences to keep their livestock from wandering off. Similarly, when a relationship is damaged, it needs to be repaired in order to keep it from falling apart completely.
In summary, "mend fences" means to repair a damaged relationship or to make amends with someone after a disagreement or argument. It is a useful idiom to use when you want to express the desire to reconcile with someone and move forward from a conflict.
• My sister and I had a disagreement, but we were able to mend fences and move on.
• I need to mend fences with my neighbor after my dog dug a hole in their garden.
• The company's CEO made a public apology to mend fences with their customers after a product recall.
• The therapist helped the couple mend fences and repair their relationship after a period of separation.
• The politician was trying to mend fences with his opponent after their heated debate.
• The ambassador worked tirelessly to mend fences between the two countries after a diplomatic incident.
• After having a disagreement, it's important to mend fences with your friend to avoid any further tension.
• The politician tried to mend fences with the opposing party by offering compromises on their policies.
• After a long legal battle, the two companies finally decided to mend fences and collaborate on a new project.
• It took years for the two countries to mend fences after a long-standing conflict, but diplomacy and mutual respect eventually prevailed.
• The CEO decided to mend fences with the employees by addressing their concerns and offering better benefits.
• I need to mend fences with my neighbor after accidentally breaking their window.