fix
1. verb, euphemism To spay or neuter an animal so that they can no longer produce offspring. Hey, you need to fix your cat before she has another litter of kittens. You can't fix your puppy just yet—she's too young. These feral cats will just keep breeding if we don't catch and fix them. Then we can return them to the outdoors.
2. verb To influence the outcome of something, often through illicit means. Will I be expelled if they find out that I fixed the student council election? The Black Sox scandal is all about players attempting to fix games in exchange for money. Yeah, we can fix the horse race for you—but it'll cost you.
3. noun A method of repairing something. Have you tried turning your phone off and on? That's always a good fix for whatever ails it. Remember when the main fix for video game cartridges was blowing on them? Grandpa thinks that the fix for any appliance in the house is a good smack.
4. noun A bribe. The authorities are trying to determine if the referees accepted a fix before that game. What is this money, a fix so that I won't tell the authorities what you've done? You know, a fix might help me to remember a few details about the people you're asking about.
5. noun, slang A dose of drugs, typically when given to an addict (especially one nearing or experiencing withdrawal symptoms). Oh man, thanks for the fix —I was really starting to feel bad there. A: "What I need is a fix!" B: "What you need is to go to rehab and get clean!" Sorry, man, I'd give you a fix, but I don't have any drugs on me right now.
fix (one) with a gaze
To look at one intensely. He fixed me with a gaze, and I found myself mesmerized by what he was saying. When Mom fixed me with a gaze, I knew she was serious about grounding me if I missed curfew again. Though I fixed the man with a gaze, I still wasn't positive that he was the assailant.
fix (one) with a look
To look at one intensely. He fixed me with a look, and I found myself mesmerized by what he was saying. When Mom fixed me with a look, I knew she was serious about grounding me if I missed curfew again. Though I fixed the man with a look, I still wasn't positive that he was the assailant.
fix (one) with a stare
To look at one intensely. He fixed me with a stare, and I found myself mesmerized by what he was saying. When Mom fixed me with a stare, I knew she was serious about grounding me if I missed curfew again. Though I fixed the man with a stare, I still wasn't positive that he was the assailant.
fix (someone or something) with (someone or something)
1. To apologize or otherwise attempt to repair a relationship with someone. I don't know if I'll be able to fix things with Kaitlin—she is just furious with me right now. You need to fix your relationship with your daughter before it's too late. I need some advice. How can I fix things with the boss after losing that big client?
2. To get someone's permission or approval for something. If you can fix it with my Mom, then I'll definitely come with you. A: "I'm sorry, why are you in an office all of a sudden?" B: "Don't worry, I fixed it with Carrie." You can't skip any required courses unless you fix it with the department head.
3. To give someone or something a certain kind of look (which is stated after "with"). He fixed me with a gaze, and I found myself mesmerized by what he was saying. Sally fixed me with a glare as soon as I entered the room, so, yeah, she's still mad at me. Though I fixed the man with a stare, I still wasn't positive that he was the assailant.
fix (someone's) wagon
To take retaliatory action against someone. Primarily heard in US. After what he's done to me, I definitely want to fix his wagon—and this nasty rumor I've started is just the beginning. You jerk! If you ever come around here again, I'll fix your wagon! Don't worry, I'll fix his wagon when he gets home.
fix (something) for breakfast/lunch/dinner/etc.
To make or prepare some dish for a particular meal. I'm fixing spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. We better get out of here if Aunt Louise is fixing something for supper—you know she can't cook. I'm not fixing anything for breakfast, but we do have a few types of cereal you can choose from.
fix on (someone or something)
1. verb To make a final decision about something. Yes, I think we've finally fixed on the topics for the meeting. Jeff's been hemming and hawing about which car to buy—I wish he would just fix on one already! I haven't fixed on a flavor yet because they all sound so good! You go ahead and order.
2. verb To focus something on someone or something. A: "What did you fix the telescope on? I can't see anything." B: "That's because the lens cap is still on." Ugh, my picture of the tulips came out blurry because the camera fixed on the bush in front of them instead. In the limited time you have left before your paper's due, just fix on the things you definitely need to change.
3. verb To become fixated on someone or something. In this usage, "upon" can also be used after "fix." Callie is so beautiful that I'm just fixed on her any time she walks in the room. Naturally, our kids are fixed on getting toys for Christmas that are already sold out in all the stores. Why is Matt fixed on making the baseball team all of a sudden? He's not a great athlete, so he'll probably just end up disappointed.
4. verb To stick or fasten something on another object. In this usage, "onto" is commonly used after "fix." Please fix stamps onto these envelopes and then drop them in the mailbox. Well, I see the kids fixed some stickers to your shirt while you were babysitting. Here's some packing tape and a print-out of the buyer's address. Can you please fix it onto the box?
5. noun The exact location or position of something. Sir, I can't get a fix on where the boat is out in the ocean. Once the radar system is operational, it should give us a fix on the enemy aircraft. Can't the police use the missing person's cell phone as a way to get a fix on him?
6. noun An understanding or sense of what someone is saying or trying to say. Ann's stories are filled with so many detours that it's hard to get a fix on what she's actually trying to tell you. A: "Did you get a fix on Uncle Harry's story?" B: "No. Especially because I wasn't really listening." It's so annoying when the twins start talking in code, and you can't get a fix on whatever they're really talking about.
fix up
1. To repair or refurbish something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "fix" and "up." I bet this house would look really nice if you just fixed it up a bit. I've been wanting to fix up the storefront, because it's really looking shabby compared to these new shops in the area. He fixed up that old car with some repairs to the body and a bright new coat of paint.
2. To arrange a date for two people. A noun or pronoun can be used between "fix" and "up." Oh, I've been trying to fix Carmen and Bill up for years—I think they'd be great together! Mom, please don't fix me up with any more of your friends' kids. It's just awkward when things inevitably don't work out. A: "So how did you meet your husband?" B: "Oh, my sister fixed us up. They had gone to college together."
3. To arrange or provide something for someone. A noun or pronoun can be used between "fix" and "up." Any chance you can fix me up with a room for the night? Well, I sure hope one of these companies can fix us up with a rental car! Otherwise, what are we going to do? Wow, I can't believe your company fixed us up with front-row seats to a Broadway show!
4. To settle something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "fix" and "up." Phil is a good mediator—I think he can fix up whatever issues those two have with each other. Don't get that drama queen Marisa involved if you actually want to fix things up with her sister. I don't know that they'll be able to stay together. It's hard to fix up the trust issues that follow an affair.
fixed for life
Having enough money to live one's life easily and comfortably. Steve was fixed for life after winning the lottery. Did you here? Jeannie's fixed for life because her late grandmother left her a ton of money. That guy's never had to work—he's fixed for life, thanks to family money.
fixed in (one's) ways
Inflexible; unwilling to change. Grandma will never retire—she's been a teacher for 50 years and is totally fixed in her ways. You'll never convince him to change, he has become too fixed in his ways now. I can't imagine living with someone else at this stage of life. I'm too fixed in my ways now for that!
How is (one) fixed (for something)?
1. Does one have enough of something that one needs? I hope you have a great time in the city this weekend. How are you fixed for money? We need to make sure we have enough servers to accommodate the sudden influx of users. How are we fixed on that front? How are we fixed for art supplies? We have 30 kids coming to camp tomorrow.
2. Is everything prepared or in place (for a particular task, event, or situation)? How is the team fixed for the meeting this Friday? We're expecting a full update on their progress. How are you fixed for this mailing? If you need to borrow any of the interns, feel free. A: "How are you fixed for your big speech?" B: "Oh, I'm still a nervous wreck—not much has changed!"
well fixed
1. Having a large amount of money at one's disposal; very wealthy. Sometimes hyphenated (and always before a noun). They must be pretty well fixed if they can afford multiple trips to Europe like that. You and your family will be well-fixed once you sign this deal.
2. Having enough of what one needs; in a good position. Sometimes hyphenated (and always before a noun). We're pretty well fixed for materials. We just need the manpower to assemble everything. Her campaign is well-fixed to win this election.
well-heeled
Wealthy. The foundation relies on big donations from well-heeled citizens.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.