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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | fixus, past participle of figere 'to fasten' |
1 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. ➔ see usage note repair1
repair
[transitive]
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 [= set]
fix something at something The interest rate has been fixed at 6.5%. Rent was fixed at $1,750 per month.
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.
The government accused the two companies of fixing petrol prices.3 to decide on a particular time etc when something will happen : Have you fixed a date for the wedding yet?
fix a time/date/place etc
Have you fixed a date for the wedding yet?4 to make arrangements for something : 'So when do I get to meet them?' 'Tomorrow, if I can fix it.'
arrange
also fix up [intransitive and transitive] spoken'So when do I get to meet them?' 'Tomorrow, if I can fix it.'5 to attach something firmly to something else, so that it stays there permanently
attach
[transitive]6 to prepare a meal or drinks [= get]:
prepare food
[transitive] informal especially American English7 to find a solution to a problem or bad situation : The government seems confident that environmental problems can be fixed.
solve
[transitive]The government seems confident that environmental problems can be fixed.8 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.
fix your attention/eyes/mind etc on somebody/something
Aziz tried to fix his mind on the job at hand.Every eye was fixed on the new girl.9 to look directly at someone for a long time : Rachel fixed him with an icy stare.
fix somebody with a stare/glare/look etc
literaryRachel fixed him with an icy stare.10 to make your hair or make-up look neat and attractive : Who fixed your hair for the wedding?
hair/face
[transitive] especially American EnglishDCBWho fixed your hair for the wedding?11 to do a medical operation on a cat or dog so that it cannot have babies [= neuter]
cat/dog
[transitive] American English informalDHP12 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.
result
[transitive]Many suspected that the deal had been fixed in advance.13 to use a chemical process on paintings, photographs etc that makes the colours or images permanent
paintings/photographs
[transitive]AVPTCP technical14 used to say that you will punish someone you are angry with : If anybody did that to me, I'd fix him good.
punish
[transitive] informalIf anybody did that to me, I'd fix him good.15 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?
be fixing to do something
American English spokenI'm fixing to go to the store. Do you need anything?fix on somebody/something
phrasal verbWe've finally fixed on a place to have the concert.fix somebody/something ↔ up
phrasal verb1 to arrange a meeting, event etc : I fixed up an interview with him. We'll have to fix up a time to meet.
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 [= do up]: We fixed up the guest bedroom before he came to stay.
We fixed up the guest bedroom before he came to stay.3 to provide someone with something they want
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.
I asked my best friend to fix me up with someone.WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
repair, fix, mendRepair is slightly more formal than fix or mend. You can repair anything that is broken or damaged, or has a hole in it • He repairs old furniture. • It cost too much to get the car repaired. • The roof needs repairing in a few places. In British English, fix and mend have the same meaning, but people more often use fix to talk about repairing a machine, vehicle etc and mend to talk about repairing holes in clothes, roads, roofs, and fences.In American English, mend is usually only used to talk about repairing things with holes in them, especially clothes and shoes. ➔ See also repair
WORD CHOICE: repair, fix, mendRepair is slightly more formal than fix or mend. You can repair anything that is broken or damaged, or has a hole in it • He repairs old furniture. • It cost too much to get the car repaired. • The roof needs repairing in a few places. In British English, fix and mend have the same meaning, but people more often use fix to talk about repairing a machine, vehicle etc and mend to talk about repairing holes in clothes, roads, roofs, and fences.In American English, mend is usually only used to talk about repairing things with holes in them, especially clothes and shoes. ➔ See also repair
