The phrase "on the mend" is an idiom that means someone is recovering from an illness, injury, or a difficult situation and is improving or getting better. It suggests a positive trajectory toward recovery.

Imagine someone who had been hospitalized due to a severe illness. After a few weeks of treatment and rest, their condition is improving, and they are no longer bedridden. In this situation, you could say, "He's on the mend," indicating that he is in the process of recovering and getting better.

The phrase "on the mend" is a relatively old idiom that has been in use for centuries. Its origin can be traced back to the Middle English period. In this context, "mend" refers to the act of repairing or fixing something that is broken or damaged.

The phrase was initially used in a literal sense to describe the process of physical healing or the repair of physical objects. Over time, it evolved into a more figurative expression to describe the improvement or recovery of a person's health or a situation.

While the precise historical origin of idioms like "on the mend" can be challenging to pinpoint, they often develop organically in language as people use them in everyday conversation to describe common experiences, in this case, the process of getting better or recovering from illness or difficulty.

Example sentences

  1. After a week of rest and medication, she's finally on the mend from the flu.
  2. The injured athlete is on the mend and is expected to return to the field soon.
  3. With physical therapy, his broken leg is on the mend and healing well.
  4. The company's financial situation is on the mend after a challenging year.
  5. Thanks to the antibiotics, his infection is on the mend, and he's feeling much better.
  6. The storm caused extensive damage, but the community is on the mend and rebuilding.
  7. Her broken heart is slowly on the mend as she starts to move forward.
  8. The car was in the shop for repairs, but it's on the mend now and should be ready soon.
  9. Despite the setbacks, their relationship is on the mend, and they are working through their issues.
  10. After a period of sadness, her spirits are on the mend, and she's looking forward to the future.

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Reference:

mend | Etymology, origin and meaning of mend by etymonline
MEND Meaning: “to repair” (clothes, a tool, a building), “remove defects” (from something broken, defaced, deranged,… See origin and meaning of mend.
Etymology
on the mend
becoming healthy after an illness:
definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary