mend (one's) ways
mend (one's) ways
To start behaving in a different, usually preferable, way. After I got in yet another fight at school, the headmaster told me that I had to mend my ways or else I'd be expelled. No matter how old you are, there is still time to mend your ways.
See also: mend, way
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
mend one's ways
Fig. to improve one's behavior. John used to be very wild, but he's mended his ways. You'll have to mend your ways if you go out with Mary. She hates people to be late.
See also: mend, way
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
mend one's ways
Improve one's behavior, as in Threatened with suspension, Jerry promised to mend his ways. This expression, transferring a repair of clothes to one of character, was first recorded in 1868, but 150 or so years earlier it had appeared as mend one's manners.
See also: mend, way
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
mend your ways
COMMON If someone mends their ways, they stop behaving badly or illegally and improve their behaviour. He seemed to accept his sentence meekly, promising to work hard in prison and to mend his ways. When asked if he intended to mend his ways, he told us `I'll try my best.'
See also: mend, way
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
mend your ˈways
(British English) improve your behaviour, way of living, etc: If Richard doesn’t mend his ways, they’ll throw him out of college.See also: mend, way
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- mend one's ways
- mend ways
- mend your ways
- change (one's) ways
- change your ways
- clean (one's) act up
- clean act up
- clean one’s act up
- clean up (one's) act
- clean up act