Crossword Genius

Improving for ages, without others (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!

'improving' is the definition.
(on the mend means improving after an illness)

'ages without others' is the wordplay.
'ages' becomes 'onend' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'without' is an insertion indicator ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'others' becomes 'them' (I've seen this in another clue).
'onend' placed around 'them' is 'ON THE MEND'.

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for on the mend that I've seen before include "Improving in health" , "undergoing recovery?" , "convalescing" , "Becoming better in health" , "Regaining health" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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