INDEX:
1. to repair something that is broken or damaged
2. to repair something old to make it look or work like a new one
3. work done to repair something
4. too badly damaged to be repaired
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ BROKEN/NOT BROKEN
↑ DAMAGE
↑ LOOK AFTER
↑ CONDITION (1-6)
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1. to repair something that is broken or damaged
▷ repair /rɪˈpeəʳ/ [transitive verb]
if you repair something that is broken or not working properly, you work on it so that it is in good condition again :
▪ Builders spent several weeks repairing the roof.
▪ The plane was too badly damaged to be repaired.
get/have something repaired
pay someone else to repair it
▪ How much will it cost to have the TV repaired?
▷ fix /fɪks/ [transitive verb]
to repair a machine or piece of equipment that is broken or not working properly :
▪ I’ll need to fix the boat before we can go out in it.
get/have something fixed
pay someone else to fix it
▪ I must get my camera fixed before we go to France.
▷ mend /mend/ [transitive verb]
to repair something that is broken or not working, or something that has a hole in it. In American English mend is usually used about clothing :
▪ The children are taught to mend their own clothes.
▪ I called a service engineer in to mend the lift.
▷ patch up /ˌpætʃ ˈʌp/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to repair something that has a hole in quickly and not very thoroughly so that it is good enough to be used again for a short period of time :
patch up something
▪ We managed to patch up the roof enough to stop it leaking.
patch something up
▪ The boat’s got a hole in the side, but I’m just going to try and patch it up for now.
▷ overhaul /ˌəʊvəʳˈhɔːl/ [transitive verb]
to thoroughly examine a machine, vehicle, or piece of equipment and repair it if necessary :
▪ The engine has been overhauled and runs much more smoothly now.
completely overhaul
▪ All the electrical wiring in the house was being completely overhauled because of the risk of fire.
▷ service /ˈsɜːʳvɪs, ˈsɜːʳvəs/ [transitive verb]
to examine a vehicle or machine, especially at fixed regular times, and repair it if necessary :
▪ All our machinery is serviced regularly.
▪ When was the plane last serviced?
have something serviced
pay someone else to service it
▪ You should have your car serviced every six months.
2. to repair something old to make it look or work like a new one
▷ renovate /ˈrenəveɪt/ [transitive verb]
to thoroughly repair something, especially an old building, so that it looks as it did when it was first made :
▪ The old theatre has been completely renovated and re-fitted.
▪ We decided to buy an old house and renovate it ourselves.
▪ He bought six old bicycles and renovated them.
renovation /ˌrenəˈveɪʃ ə n/ [uncountable noun]
▪ a charming old property, suitable for renovation
▷ restore /rɪˈstɔːʳ/ [transitive verb]
to repair and clean an old and valuable building, vehicle, or work of art :
▪ The building has been carefully restored after the fire.
▪ Experts are still working to restore the painting.
▪ He spent almost three years restoring a 1922 Rolls Royce.
restoration /ˌrestəˈreɪʃ ə n/ [uncountable noun]
▪ The church was closed for restoration so that it could be restored .
▷ do up British informal /fix up American informal /ˌduː ˈʌp, ˌfɪks ˈʌp/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to repair an old vehicle or building so that it looks like a new one, especially as a way of making money :
do/fix up something
▪ He does up old cars and sells them.
do/fix something up
▪ A builder bought the house and fixed it up.
▷ reconditioned /ˌriːkənˈdɪʃ ə nd◂/ [adjective]
a reconditioned engine, motor, washing machine etc is an old machine that has been thoroughly repaired so that it works like a new one :
▪ I managed to buy a reconditioned engine quite cheaply.
▪ a shop selling new and reconditioned washing machines
3. work done to repair something
▷ repairs /rɪˈpeəʳz/ [plural noun]
▪ Who will pay for the repairs?
repairs to
▪ The insurance will cover the cost of all repairs to the vehicle.
make/do/carry out repairs
▪ Builders are carrying out repairs to the roof and walls.
▷ maintenance /ˈmeɪnt ə nəns/ [uncountable noun]
regular work done to check, clean, and repair something so that it keeps working properly or remains in good condition :
▪ The Highways Department is responsible for the construction and maintenance of bridges and roads.
car/motorcycle etc maintenance
▪ I knew nothing about car maintenance when I first bought my car.
routine maintenance
simple and regular maintenance
▪ The fault was discovered during routine maintenance work.
▷ service /ˈsɜːʳvɪs, ˈsɜːʳvəs/ [countable/uncountable noun]
an examination of a vehicle or machine that is done regularly to check that it is working properly and see if any repairs are necessary :
▪ We recommend an annual service for all central heating boilers.
▪ My car’s due for service - I’ll book it into a garage next week.
▪ Any major problems with the car should be picked up at the 5,000 mile service.
▷ overhaul /ˈəʊvəʳhɔːl/ [countable noun]
a thorough examination of a machine, vehicle, or piece of equipment, making repairs if necessary :
▪ The electrical system needs a complete overhaul.
▪ Work on the overhaul of the boiler has just started.
▷ tune-up /ˈtjuːn ʌpǁˈtuːn-/ [countable noun]
a process of making small changes and repairs to an engine so that it works as well as possible :
▪ It’s about time to take the car in for a tune-up again.
▪ If you give the engine regular tune-ups, it will last much longer.
4. too badly damaged to be repaired
▷ be beyond repair /biː bɪˌjɒnd rɪˈpeəʳǁ-ˌjɑːnd-/ [verb phrase]
too badly damaged to be repaired - use this about objects, buildings, and vehicles :
▪ Unfortunately, the engine is beyond repair.
be damaged beyond repair
▪ A lot of the furniture had been damaged beyond repair.
▷ irreparable /ɪˈrep ə rəb ə l/ [adjective]
irreparable damage or harm to objects, buildings, or vehicles cannot be repaired :
▪ The explosion caused irreparable damage to several buildings.
▪ The forest suffered irreparable damage as a result of last year’s fire.