fix

I. fix¹ S2 W2 /fɪks/ BrE AmE verb
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: fixus, past participle of figere 'to fasten']
1. REPAIR [transitive] to repair something that is broken or not working properly:
He’s outside fixing the brakes on the car.
Ellis was able to quickly find and fix the problem.
2. LIMIT [transitive]
a) to decide on a limit for something, especially prices, costs etc, so that they do not change SYN set
fix something at something
The interest rate has been fixed at 6.5%.
Rent was fixed at $1,750 per month.
b) if two or more companies fix the price for a particular product or service, they secretly agree on the price they will charge for it, in order to keep the price high and make more profit. This practice is illegal:
The government accused the two companies of fixing petrol prices.
3. fix a time/date/place etc to decide on a particular time etc when something will happen:
Have you fixed a date for the wedding yet?
4. ARRANGE (also fix up) [intransitive and transitive] spoken to make arrangements for something:
‘So when do I get to meet them?’ ‘Tomorrow, if I can fix it.’
fix (it) for somebody to do something
I’ve fixed for you to see him this afternoon at four.
5. ATTACH [transitive] to attach something firmly to something else, so that it stays there permanently
fix something to/on something
The shelves should be fixed to the wall with screws.
6. PREPARE FOOD [transitive] informal especially American English to prepare a meal or drinks SYN get:
I’ll watch the kids and you fix dinner.
fix somebody something
Can I fix you a snack?
Terry fixed herself a cold drink and sat out on the balcony.
7. SOLVE [transitive] to find a solution to a problem or bad situation:
The government seems confident that environmental problems can be fixed.
8. fix your attention/eyes/mind etc on somebody/something to think about or look at someone or something carefully:
Aziz tried to fix his mind on the job at hand.
Every eye was fixed on the new girl.
9. fix somebody with a stare/glare/look etc literary to look directly at someone for a long time:
Rachel fixed him with an icy stare.
10. HAIR/FACE [transitive] especially American English to make your hair or ↑make-up look neat and attractive:
Who fixed your hair for the wedding?
Hold on. Let me just fix my face (=put on make-up) before we go out.
11. CAT/DOG [transitive] American English informal to do a medical operation on a cat or dog so that it cannot have babies SYN neuter
12. RESULT [transitive] to arrange an election, game etc dishonestly, so that you get the result you want:
Many suspected that the deal had been fixed in advance.
13. PAINTINGS/PHOTOGRAPHS [transitive] technical to use a chemical process on paintings, photographs etc that makes the colours or images permanent
14. PUNISH [transitive] informal used to say that you will punish someone you are angry with:
If anybody did that to me, I’d fix him good.
15. be fixing to do something American English spoken to be preparing to do something – used in some parts of the US:
I’m fixing to go to the store. Do you need anything?
fix on somebody/something phrasal verb
to choose a suitable thing or person, especially after thinking about it carefully:
We’ve finally fixed on a place to have the concert.
fix somebody/something ↔ up phrasal verb
1. to arrange a meeting, event etc:
I fixed up an interview with him.
We’ll have to fix up a time to meet.
2. to decorate or repair a room or building SYN do up:
We fixed up the guest bedroom before he came to stay.
3. to provide someone with something they want
fix somebody/something ↔ up with
Can you fix me up with a bed for the night?
4. to find a suitable romantic partner for someone
fix somebody/something ↔ up with
I asked my best friend to fix me up with someone.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fix

fix [fix fixes fixed fixing] verb, noun [fɪks] [fɪks]

verb

ATTACH
1. ~ sth (+ adv./prep.) (especially BrE) to put sth firmly in a place so that it will not move
• to fix a shelf to the wall
• to fix a post in the ground

• (figurative) He noted every detail so as to fix the scene in his mind.

ARRANGE

2. ~ sth to decide on a date, a time, an amount, etc. for sth
Syn: set
• Has the date of the next meeting been fixed?
• They fixed the rent at £100 a week.

• Their prices are fixed until the end of the year (= will not change before then).

3. to arrange or organize sth
• ~ sth (for sb) I'll fix a meeting.
• ~ sth up (for sb) You have to fix visits up in advance with the museum.
• ~ sth with sth (informal) Don't worry, I'll fix it with Sarah.

• ~ (up) (for sb) to do sth I've fixed up (for us) to go to the theatre next week.

POSITION/TIME

4. ~ sth to discover or say the exact position, time, etc. of sth

• We can fix the ship's exact position at the time the fire broke out.

REPAIR

5. ~ sth to repair or correct sth
• The car won't start— can you fix it?

• I've fixed the problem.

FOOD/DRINK

6. (especially NAmE) to provide or prepare sth, especially food
• ~ sb sth Can I fix you a drink?
• ~ sth for sb Can I fix a drink for you?

• ~ sth I'll fix supper.

HAIR/FACE

7. ~ sth (especially NAmE) to make sth such as your hair or face neat and attractive

• I'll fix my hair and then I'll be ready.

RESULT

8. often passive ~ sth (informal) to arrange the result of sth in a way that is not honest or fair

• I'm sure the race was fixed.

PUNISH

9. ~ sb (informal) to punish sb who has harmed you and stop them doing you any more harm

• Don't worry— I'll fix him.

IN PHOTOGRAPHY

10. ~ sth (technical) to treat film for cameras, etc. with a chemical so that the colours do not change or become less bright

ANIMAL
11. ~ sth (NAmE, informal) to make an animal unable to have young by means of an operation
see also neuter
more at if it ain't broke, don't fix it at ain't

Word Origin:
late Middle English: partly from Old French fix ‘fixed’, partly from medieval Latin fixare ‘to fix’, both from Latin fixus, past participle of figere ‘fix, fasten’. The noun dates from the early 19th cent.
Thesaurus:
fix verb
1. T (especially BrE)
• He fixed the shelf to the wall.
attach • • fasten • • tie • • strap • • tape • • stick • |formal secure •
fix/attach/fasten/tie/strap/tape/stick/secure sth to sth
fix/put/fasten/tie/strap/tape/stick sth on sth
fix/fasten/tie/strap/tape/stick sth together
2. T
• The date was fixed well in advance.
set • • schedule • • book • |especially BrE timetable •
fix/set/schedule/book/timetable sth for sth
fix/set/schedule/book/timetable sb/sth to do sth
fix/set/schedule/book a time/date/day
fix/set/schedule/timetable a meeting
3. T
• I took the car to the garage to get it fixed.
repair • • patch sth up • |especially BrE mend •
fix/repair/mend a road/fence/roof/bike/puncture
fix/repair a car/television/fault/defect/leak
get sth fixed/repaired/mended
Fix or repair? The most general word in British English is repair. Fix is less formal and used to talk about repairing machines and equipment. In American English fix is the usual word to talk about repairing sth that is damaged or broken, and repair sounds rather formal.
4. T
• Don't imagine that the law can fix everything.
correct • • cure • • remedy • |especially BrE put sth right • |formal rectify • • redress •
fix/correct/cure/remedy/put right/rectify/redress what…
fix/correct/cure/remedy/put right/rectify/redress a problem
fix/correct/remedy/put right/rectify a mistake/error/fault
Fix or put sth right? These are both rather informal, but fix is used more in business contexts and in American English.
Example Bank:
• Fix the bars in position with the screws provided.
• The handrail can be fixed directly to the wall.
• We need to get the TV fixed.
• a problem which can be fixed quickly
• Could you fix the TV aerial?
• Don't imagine that the law can fix everything.
• Go right on through. I'm just fixing the drinks.
• How are you fixed for Thursday?
• I had to take the car into the garage to get it fixed.
• I'm just going to fix myself some breakfast.
• I'm sure the match was fixed.
• I've fixed up for you to see the doctor tomorrow.
• Look around and try to fix the scene in your mind.
• Mommy, can you fix my toy?
• She tried to fix things between them, but nothing worked.
• Start by fixing a post in the ground.
• The company had a bad image that needed fixing.
• The dates have to be fixed well in advance.
• Their departure was fixed for 14 August.
• We'll go tomorrow then. Will you fix it with the others?
• We're not moving in until the heating's fixed.
• We're trying to fix the cash flow problem by reducing costs.
• to rig/fix an election
Idiom: fix somebody with a look/stare/gaze

Derived: fix on somebody ▪ fix somebody up ▪ fix something on somebody ▪ fix something up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fix

fix (KEEP) /fɪks/
verb [T usually + adverb or preposition]
to continue to think about or remember something:
It is somehow fixed in my mind that my fate and that woman's are intertwined.
She was so frightened that she could not fix her thoughts on anything.

fix (STOP REPRODUCTION) /fɪks/
verb [T] US INFORMAL
to remove the reproductive organs of an animal

fix (SIGHT) /fɪks/
verb [T]
to keep something or someone in sight:
His eyes were fixed on the distant yacht.
She fixed the child with a stare of such disapproval he did not dare move.

fix (PRESERVE COLOURS) /fɪks/
verb [T] SPECIALIZED
to treat something, especially photographic material with chemicals to prevent its colours from becoming paler

fix /fɪks/
verb [I] SLANG
to inject an illegal drug:
We saw kids as young as twelve fixing in doorways.

fix (PUNISH) /fɪks/
verb [T] SLANG
to punish especially someone who has been unfair:
I'm gonna fix her if she doesn't stop telling lies about me!

fix (CHEAT) /fɪks/
verb [T often passive]
to do something dishonest to make certain that a competition, race, or election is won by a particular person:
Several jockeys were arrested on suspicion of fixing the race.
It sounds like the election was fixed.

fix (PREPARE FOOD) /fɪks/
verb [T] MAINLY US INFORMAL
to cook or prepare food or drink:
Whose turn is it to fix dinner?
[+ two objects] Can I fix you a drink?/Can I fix a drink for you?

fix (REPAIR) /fɪks/
verb [T]
1 to repair something:
They couldn't fix my old computer, so I bought a new one.

2 to make your hair, make-up, clothes, etc. look tidy:
Give me a couple of minutes while I fix my hair.

fix (ARRANGE) /fɪks/
verb [I or T] MAINLY UK
to arrange or agree a time, place, price, etc:
Shall we fix a time for our next meeting?
I understand the rent is fixed at £750 a month.

fix (FASTEN) /fɪks/
verb [T + adverb or preposition]
to fasten something in position so that it cannot move:
We fixed the bookcase to the wall.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fix

/fɪks/
(fixes, fixing, fixed)

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.
If something is fixed somewhere, it is attached there firmly or securely.
It is fixed on the wall...
He fixed a bayonet to the end of his rifle.
= fasten
VERB: be V-ed prep/adv, V n prep/adv

2.
If you fix something, for example a date, price, or policy, you decide and say exactly what it will be.
He’s going to fix a time when I can see him...
The prices of milk and cereals are fixed annually.
= set
VERB: V n, V n

3.
If you fix something for someone, you arrange for it to happen or you organize it for them.
I’ve fixed it for you to see Bonnie Lachlan...
It’s fixed. He’s going to meet us at the airport...
They thought that their relatives would be able to fix the visas...
He vanished after you fixed him with a job...
We fixed for the team to visit our headquarters...
They’d fixed yesterday that Mike’d be in late today.
VERB: V it for n to-inf, be V-ed, V n, V n with n, V for n to-inf, V that

4.
If you fix something which is damaged or which does not work properly, you repair it.
He cannot fix the electricity...
If something is broken, we get it fixed.
= mend
VERB: V n, get/have n V-ed

5.
If you fix a problem or a bad situation, you deal with it and make it satisfactory.
It’s not too late to fix the problem, although time is clearly getting short...
Fixing a 40-year-old wrong does not mean, however, that history can be undone.
VERB: V n, V-ing

7.
If you fix your eyes on someone or something or if your eyes fix on them, you look at them with complete attention.
She fixes her steel-blue eyes on an unsuspecting local official...
Her soft brown eyes fixed on Kelly...
The child kept her eyes fixed on the wall behind him.
VERB: V n on n, V on n, V-ed

8.
If someone or something is fixed in your mind, you remember them well, for example because they are very important, interesting, or unusual.
Leonard was now fixed in his mind...
Amy watched the child’s intent face eagerly, trying to fix it in her mind.
VERB: be V-ed in n, V n in n

9.
If someone fixes a gun, camera, or radar on something, they point it at that thing.
The US crew fixed its radar on the Turkish ship...
VERB: V n on n

11.
If you fix some food or a drink for someone, you make it or prepare it for them.
Sarah fixed some food for us...
Let me fix you a drink...
Scotty stayed behind to fix lunch.
VERB: V n for n, V n n, V n

12.
If you fix your hair, clothes, or make-up, you arrange or adjust them so you look neat and tidy, showing you have taken care with your appearance. (INFORMAL)
‘I’ve got to fix my hair,’ I said and retreated to my bedroom...
VERB: no passive, V n

13.
If someone fixes a race, election, contest, or other event, they make unfair or illegal arrangements or use deception to affect the result.
They offered opposing players bribes to fix a decisive league match against Valenciennes...
...this week’s report of match-fixing.
= rig
VERB: V n, V-ing [disapproval]

14.
If you accuse someone of fixing prices, you accuse them of making unfair arrangements to charge a particular price for something, rather than allowing market forces to decide it. (BUSINESS)
...a suspected cartel that had fixed the price of steel for the construction market...
The company is currently in dispute with the government over price fixing.
VERB: V n, V-ing [disapproval]

17.
If you say that you are fixing to do something, you mean that you are planning or intending to do it. (AM INFORMAL)
I’m fixing to go to graduate school...
VERB: only cont, V to-inf

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹fix /ˈfɪks/ verb fix·es; fixed; fix·ing [+ obj]
1 a : to make (something) whole or able to work properly again : to repair (something)
• He fixed the fence last weekend.
• I need to fix this dent in my car.
• fix a leaky faucet
b : to deal with or correct (a problem)
• Your proposals won't fix [=solve] anything.
• People expect the schools to fix whatever is wrong with their kids.
2 : to attach (something) in such a way that it will not move
• All tables on the ship will be fixed to the floor. : to connect or join (things) physically
• fix [=attach, fasten] this sign to your door
• The table was fixed firmly to the floor.
• The scarf was fixed in place with a pin.
- sometimes used figuratively
• I want to fix this moment in my mind forever. [=I want to remember this moment forever]
3 a : to set or place (something) definitely
• They haven't yet fixed the date of their wedding.
• They fixed the price at $10.
• illegal price fixing
b : to find out (something) with certainty
• Investigators are still attempting to fix the exact time of the accident.
• We're trying to fix [=get a fix on] the ship's location.
c : to arrange the details of something
• My lawyer fixed it [=made arrangements] so I wouldn't have to go to court.
4 chiefly US
a : to make (something, such as a meal) ready
• fix [=prepare, make] dinner
• Can I fix [=make] you a drink? = Can I fix a drink for you?
b informal : to make (someone's hair, makeup, etc.) neat or attractive
• We had to wait 10 minutes while she fixed her hair.
• fixing her lipstick/makeup
5 : to control or affect (something, such as a game or election) in a dishonest way
• They were accused of fixing games in college.
• The election was fixed.
• fix a parking ticket [=arrange for someone to not have to pay a fine for parking illegally]
6 : to change the appearance of (someone's face, nose, etc.) through surgery
• She wants to get her nose fixed.
7 informal : to do something to punish (someone who has treated you badly or unfairly)
• They thought they could cheat me, but I fixed them good.
• I'll fix you!
8 US : to make (an animal) unable to reproduce : to neuter or spay (an animal)
• You should have your dog/cat fixed.
9 US informal + old-fashioned : to be or get ready to do something
• They were fixing to leave.
• It looks like it's fixing to rain. [=it's about to rain]
✦This sense of fix is sometimes used humorously to suggest the speech of cowboys in western movies.
10 technical : to change (nitrogen) into a stable or useful form
• bacteria that fix nitrogen
fix on/upon [phrasal verb] fix on/upon (something)
1 : to direct your attention or thoughts toward (something) : to focus on (something)
• He has fixed on/upon the idea of going back to school.
• All eyes fixed on her as she entered the room. [=everyone looked at her as she entered the room]
2 : to make a decision about or choose (something)
• After weeks of discussion, they've finally fixed on a solution.
fix (someone) with a stare/look (etc.) : to look directly at (someone) usually in an angry way
• She fixed him with an angry stare. [=she stared at him angrily]
fix up [phrasal verb]
1 fix up (something) or fix (something) up : to improve the appearance or condition of (something, such as a building) by repairing it, making changes to it, etc.
• We spent thousands of dollars fixing up our house.
- see also fixer-upper
2 fix (someone or something) up chiefly US : to make (someone or something) more attractive or fancy
• I need a few minutes to fix myself up before we leave.
• She got herself all fixed up [=dressed up, spruced up] for the party.
3 fix (someone) up
a : to provide (someone) with something that is needed or wanted
• They can fix you up with a rental car at the airport.
b : to provide a possible boyfriend or girlfriend for (someone) : to arrange a date for (someone)
• My mother tried to fix me up with one of her friends' sons.
fix your eyes/gaze (etc.) on/upon : to look at (someone or something) steadily
• Everyone fixed their eyes on her as she entered the room.
fix your hopes/sights (etc.) on/upon : to direct your hopes, efforts, etc., toward (something)
• They fixed their sights on winning the championship.
• She has her hopes fixed on a career in journalism. [=she hopes/wants to have a career in journalism]
if it ain't broke, don't fix it
- see ²broke
- fix·able /ˈfɪksəbəl/ adj
• All the car's problems are fixable.
- fix·er /ˈfɪksɚ/ noun, pl -ers [count]