mend fences

verbmake peace

Synonyms for mend fences

verb make peace

improve poor relations

Word Origin & History

early 14c., "action of defending," shortening of defens (see defense). Spelling alternated between -c- and -s- in Middle English. Sense of "enclosure" is first recorded mid-15c. on notion of "that which serves as a defense." Sense of "dealer in stolen goods" is thieves' slang, first attested c.1700, from notion of such transactions taking place under defense of secrecy. To be figuratively on the fence "uncommitted" is from 1828, perhaps from the notion of spectators at a fight, or a simple literal image: "A man sitting on the top of a fence, can jump down on either side with equal facility." [Bartlett, "Dictionary of Americanisms," 1848].

Example Sentences for mend fences

But now we keep a lot of fence-riders, who don't do a thing but mend fences, day after day.

mend fences

Synonyms for mend fences

campaigning

campaigns

mend fences

Synonyms for mend fences

More words related to mend fences

campaign

campaigning

campaigns