Definition

1. Verb:

   • To repair or mend something that is broken or not working correctly: The primary meaning is to restore something to proper condition.
   • To make something firm, stable, or secure: To attach or position something so it does not move.
   • To decide or arrange something definitively: To set or establish something, such as a time, date, or rule.
   • To prepare or make ready, especially food: To cook or arrange a meal.
   • To direct something, such as one's eyes or attention, steadily at something: To focus intently on a single point or subject.

2. Noun:

   • A difficult or awkward situation: An informal term for a predicament or dilemma.
   • A determination of location: The act of finding or identifying the exact position of something.
   • Something craved, especially a dose of an addictive substance: Informal usage for something one strongly desires or depends on.
   • An act of illicit influence or bribery: The act of arranging an outcome dishonestly.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • I need to fix the leaky faucet. (Repair)
  • Please fix the shelf to the wall securely. (Attach)
  • Let's fix a time for our next meeting. (Decide/Arrange)
  • He offered to fix dinner for everyone. (Prepare food)
  • She fixed her gaze on the horizon. (Direct/Focus)

• Noun:

  • Losing my keys put me in a real fix. (Difficult situation)
  • The navigator got a good fix on our coordinates. (Location determination)
  • He needed his morning fix of coffee. (Craved dose)
  • The investigation uncovered a fix in the boxing match. (Illicit arrangement)

Advanced Usage

• "to fix on/upon": To choose or decide on something after consideration.
  • We've finally fixed on a name for the baby.
• "to fix up": To repair, renovate, or arrange something; to provide someone with something they need.
  • They are fixing up the old house. (Renovating)
  • Can you fix me up with a ticket for the show? (Arrange/Provide)
• "to fix someone/something" (informal, often threatening): To deal with or get even with someone; to punish or take revenge.
  • I'll fix him for telling lies about me.

Variants and Related Words

• Fixed (adjective): Attached securely; not changing; predetermined.
  • The mirror is fixed to the wall.
  • We meet at a fixed time every week.
• Fixer (noun): A person who makes arrangements or solves problems, sometimes illicitly.
  • He acted as a fixer for the political campaign.
• Fixity (noun): The quality of being stable or unchanging.
  • The fixity of his beliefs made debate impossible.

Synonyms

• Verb: Repair, mend, attach, secure, set, determine, prepare, cook, focus.
• Noun: Predicament, jam, dilemma, location, dose.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fix up with: To provide someone with something, like a date or a job.
  • My friend fixed me up with a great mechanic.
• Fix on/upon: See "Advanced Usage".
• Fix over (informal, chiefly US): To repair or renovate.
  • We're planning to fix over the kitchen next year.

Related Idioms

• In a fix: In a difficult situation.
  • Missing the last train left us in a fix.
• Fix one's sights on: To have a clear goal or ambition.
  • She has fixed her sights on becoming a doctor.
• Quick fix: An easy but temporary solution to a problem.
  • This software patch is just a quick fix; we need a permanent solution.

Noun

1. a determination of the place where something is
   • he got a good fix on the target
2. an exemption granted after influence (e.g., money) is brought to bear
   • collusion resulted in tax fixes for gamblers
3. the act of putting something in working order again
4. something craved, especially an intravenous injection of a narcotic drug
   • she needed a fix of chocolate
5. informal terms for a difficult situation
   • he got into a terrible fix
   • he made a muddle of his marriage

Verb

1. make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
   • Get the children ready for school!
   • prepare for war
   • I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill
2. put (something somewhere) firmly
   • She posited her hand on his shoulder
   • deposit the suitcase on the bench
   • fix your eyes on this spot
3. influence an event or its outcome by illegal means
   • fix a race
4. make infertile
   • in some countries, people with genetically transmissible disabilites are sterilized
5. make fixed, stable or stationary
   • let's fix the picture to the frame
6. kill, preserve, and harden (tissue) in order to prepare for microscopic study
7. set or place definitely
   • Let's fix the date for the party!
8. take vengeance on or get even
   • We'll get them!
   • That'll fix him good!
   • This time I got him
9. prepare for eating by applying heat
   • Cook me dinner, please
   • can you make me an omelette?
   • fix breakfast for the guests, please
10. decide upon or fix definitely
    • fix the variables
    • specify the parameters
11. cause to be firmly attached
    • fasten the lock onto the door
    • she fixed her gaze on the man
12. restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
    • She repaired her TV set
    • Repair my shoes please