fix

verb

• 1 [with object] fasten (something) securely in a particular place or position:fix the clamp on a rail the upper jaw of an amphibian is firmly fixed to the skull
• lodge or implant (an idea, image, or memory) firmly in a person’s mind:he turned back to fix the scene in his mind

• 2 (fix something on/upon) direct one’s eyes, attention, or mind steadily or unwaveringly toward:I fixed my attention on the tower
• [no object] (fix on/upon) (of a person’s eyes, attention, or mind) be directed steadily or unwaveringly toward:her gaze fixed on Jess
• attract and hold (a person’s attention or gaze):their taut relationship fixes your attention
• (fix someone with) look at someone unwaveringly:she fixed her nephew with an unwavering stare

• 3mend; repair:you should fix that shelf
• (fix something up) do the necessary work to improve or adapt something:we want to fix up the house before we sell it
• make arrangements for (something); organize:he’s sent her on ahead to fix things up I’ve fixed it for you to see him on Thursday
• informal, chiefly North American restore order or tidiness to (something, especially one’s hair, clothes, or makeup):Laura was fixing her hair
• informal, chiefly North American prepare or arrange for the provision of (food or drink): [with two objects]:they were fixing him breakfast Ruth fixed herself a cold drink
• (fix someone up) informal arrange for someone to have something; provide someone with something:I’ll fix you up with a room
• (fix someone up) informal arrange for someone to meet or go out with someone in order to help them establish a romantic relationship.
• (be fixing to do something) North American informal be intending or planning to do something:you’re fixing to get into trouble

• 4decide or settle on (a specific price, date, course of action, etc.):no date has yet been fixed for a hearing the rent will be fixed at $600 a month [no object]:their thinking then seemed fixed on conventional projects
• discover the exact location of (something) by using radar or visual bearings or astronomical observation:he fixed his position
• settle the form of (a language).
• assign or determine (a person’s liability or responsibility) for legal purposes:there are no facts that fix the defendant with liability

• 5make (something) permanent or static in nature:the rate of interest is fixed for the life of the loan
• make (a dye, photographic image, or drawing) permanent.
• Biology preserve or stabilize (a specimen) with a chemical substance prior to microscopy or other examination:specimens were fixed in buffered formalin
• (of a plant or microorganism) assimilate (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) by forming a nongaseous compound:lupines fix gaseous nitrogen in their root nodules

• 6 informal influence the outcome of (something, especially a race, contest, or election) by illegal or underhanded means:the foundation denies fixing races
• put (an enemy or rival) out of action, especially by killing them:don’t you tell nobody, or I’ll fix you good!

• 7 informal [no object] take an injection of a narcotic drug.

• 8North American castrate or spay (an animal); neuter.

noun

• 1 [in singular] informal a difficult or awkward situation from which it is hard to extricate oneself; a predicament:how on earth did you get into such a fix?

• 2 informal a dose of a narcotic drug to which one is addicted:he hadn’t had his fix
• figurative a thing or activity that gives a person a feeling of euphoria or pleasure and that it is difficult to do without:that rush of adrenaline that is the fix of the professional newsman

• 3 informal a solution to a problem, especially one that is hastily devised or makeshift:there is going to be no quick fix to the recession representatives trying to find cheap fixes to meet their obligations

• 4a position determined by visual or radio bearings or astronomical observations.

• 5 [in singular] informal a dishonest or underhanded arrangement:obviously, his appointment was a fix