I. fix 1 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.
II. fix 2 BrE AmE noun
1 . [countable] something that solves a problem:
Robinson called the proposal a quick fix (=a temporary or easy solution) of limited value.
2 . (be) in a fix to have a problem that is difficult to solve SYN (be) in a mess :
We’re going to be in a real fix if we miss that bus.
That’s put us in a fix.
3 . [singular] an amount of something, especially an illegal drug such as ↑ heroin , that you often use and badly want:
addicts looking for a fix
I need my fix of caffeine in the morning or I can’t think.
4 . get a fix on somebody/something
a) to find out exactly where someone or something is:
He peered out, trying to get a fix on the enemy’s position.
b) to understand what someone or something is really like:
I couldn’t seem to get a fix on the situation.
5 . [singular] something that has been dishonestly arranged:
People think the election was a fix.