# mend fences

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/mend-fences
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To repair damage to a friendship or relationship after a disagreement or other mishap.

## Examples

- They talked for hours to mend fences after their argument.
- After years of silence, the two brothers finally met for coffee to mend fences.
- Recognizing that their long-standing professional rivalry hindered progress, the two executives decided to mend fences and collaborate on the new project.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.