fix-up

[ fiks-uhp ]
/ ˈfɪksˌʌp /

noun

repair; improvement: fix-ups that will make the house more salable.

Origin of fix-up

1825–35, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase fix up

Definition for fix up (2 of 2)

Origin of fix

1350–1400; 1900–05 for def 29; 1935–40 for def 31; Middle English fixen (v.) < Medieval Latin fixāre, derivative of Latin fixus fixed, past participle of fīgere to fasten

SYNONYMS FOR fix

3, 4 fasten, secure, stabilize. Fix, establish imply making firm or permanent. To fix is to fasten in position securely or to make more or less permanent against change, especially something already existing: to fix a bayonet on a gun; fix a principle in one's mind. To establish is to make firm or permanent something (usually newly) originated, created, or ordained: to establish a business, a claim to property.
5 establish, define.
27 dilemma, plight, quandary.

usage note for fix

Fix meaning “to repair” appears to have been used first in America, but it is long established and has been used in England since the early 19th century: The engineer quickly fixed the faulty valve. The verb use is fully standard in all varieties of speech and writing, and objections to it on the grounds of style merely reflect personal prejudice, not the practice of educated speakers and writers. The noun fix meaning “repair, adjustment” is informal.
Fix ( to ) meaning “to prepare, plan (to)” is another Americanism: We're fixing to go to town. It once occurred in all the eastern coastal states, but it is now chiefly an informal spoken form in the South Midland and South.

OTHER WORDS FROM fix

British Dictionary definitions for fix up (1 of 2)

fix up

verb (tr, adverb)

to arrange let's fix up a date
(often foll by with) to provide I'm sure we can fix you up with a room
informal to repair or rearrange to fix up one's house

British Dictionary definitions for fix up (2 of 2)

fix
/ (fɪks) /

verb (mainly tr)

noun

See also fix up

Derived forms of fix

fixable, adjective

Word Origin for fix

C15: from Medieval Latin fixāre, from Latin fixus fixed, from Latin fīgere

Scientific definitions for fix up

fix
[ fĭks ]

To convert inorganic carbon or nitrogen into stable, organic compounds that can be assimilated into organisms. Photosynthetic organisms such as green plants fix carbon in carbohydrates as food; certain bacteria fix nitrogen as ammonia that can be absorbed directly or through nitrification by plant roots. See more at carbon fixation nitrogen fixation.
To convert a substance, especially a gas, into solid or liquid form by chemical reactions.
To kill and preserve a tissue specimen rapidly to retain as nearly as possible the characteristics it had in the living body.

Idioms and Phrases with fix up (1 of 2)

fix up

1

Repair, refurbish, or renew. For example, They're busy fixing up their house, or We fixed ourselves up before we ventured outside. [Late 1700s]

2

fix someone up. Provide or furnish someone with something, as in He can fix you up with a new car, or Can you fix up my friend with a date for the dance? [Colloquial; c. 1930]

3

Smooth over or settle, as in You'd think they could fix up these small differences. [Late 1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with fix up (2 of 2)

fix