mending one's ways
Changing for better
To mend one's ways is to reform one's behavior, abandoning bad habits or moral failings for better conduct.
The phrase implies acknowledgment of past wrongdoing and commitment to change: After his arrest, he promised to mend his ways.
Often used skeptically about whether such reform will actually stick.
- turning over a new leafResolving to improve oneself
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- personal growthIntentional self-improvement over time
- changed manOne who has transformed
apology · integrity · forgiveness · accountability · moral compass · self-awareness · trust-building · straight and narrow · making amends · owning up · repentance · grace · resilience · redemption · second chance · clean slate · fresh start · humility
mending one's waysbacksliding
Reverting to former sins
going astray · sliding back · relapsing · falling from grace · degenerating
mending one's waysgoing to the dogs
Declining into poor condition
going downhill · moral decline · falling from grace · corruption · degeneration