Crossword Genius

Getting better marks coming in last? (2,3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

on the mend

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'getting better' is the definition.
(on the mend means recovering from illness)

'marks coming in last?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'marks' could be 'm' (former German currency) and 'm' is located in the answer.
'last?' could be 'end' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'end' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'onthe' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for on the mend that I've seen before include "Informally getting better, improving after illness or accident" , "Regaining health" , "Recovering from an injury or illness" , "Becoming better in health" , "returning to health" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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