The phrase "are on the mend" is commonly used to describe someone who is recovering from an illness or injury. The spelling of "mend" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /mɛnd/. This means that the word is pronounced with a short "e" sound followed by "nd" which is pronounced as a separate syllable. The word "mend" comes from the Old English word "mendian" which means "to repair" or "to heal" and has been in use since the 14th century.
"Are on the mend" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the process of recovery or improvement, especially from an illness, injury, setback, or difficult situation. It indicates that a person or situation is progressing towards a better or healthier state.
In the context of a person's health, it suggests that the individual is showing signs of improvement after an illness or injury. For example, someone who was ill may be said to be on the mend when their symptoms start to alleviate, indicating that they are recovering and on their way to regaining full health.
Similarly, "are on the mend" can refer to a situation or event that was problematic or faltering, but is now steadily improving. It could be a failing business that starts to experience growth or a troubled relationship that is slowly being repaired. In such cases, this expression signifies that progress is being made, and the situation is moving towards a more positive outcome.
Overall, "are on the mend" implies a positive trajectory of recovery or repair. It suggests that the circumstances in question were previously unfavorable, but steps have been taken towards improvement, resulting in a more hopeful and positive outlook.