fixes
fixes — verb
- fixespresent simple I / you / we / they
- fixeses3rd person singular
- fixesing-ing form
- fixesedpast simple
1. to mend something that is broken, damaged, or not working so that it functions p
to mend something that is broken, damaged, or not working so that it functions properly again.
Sade fixed the broken chair leg with a little wood glue.
fix + broken object (chair leg, phone screen, etc.)
Allison took her laptop to the shop so a technician could fix it.
The plumber came on Tuesday morning to fix the leaking tap in the kitchen.
Cyrus spent the afternoon fixing his son's old bicycle in the garage.
Can you show me how to fix this tear in my jacket?
文法句型
fix + something
用法筆記
Object is usually something physical — a device, machine, piece of clothing, or part of a building.
常見錯誤
2. to agree on a specific time, place, price, or plan after discussion, so that it
to agree on a specific time, place, price, or plan after discussion, so that it is settled and everyone knows what has been decided.
Meera and the client fixed a meeting time for Thursday at three.
fix + a time/date for an appointment
Anong fixed the rent at nine hundred dollars a month before signing.
Let's fix a date for the party before everyone's calendar fills up.
Valentina called the caterer to fix the menu for the wedding reception.
The two managers finally fixed the price after weeks of difficult talks.
- leave open
to not make a final decision yet
文法句型
fix + a time/date/price/place
用法筆記
Object is typically a time, date, place, price, or plan — something being arranged or decided.
常見錯誤
3. to attach something firmly to a surface or position so it remains secure and doe
to attach something firmly to a surface or position so it remains secure and does not shift.
Noa fixed the shelf to the wall with four strong metal brackets.
fix + object + to + surface
Lan fixed a small hook onto the back of the bathroom door for towels.
The carpenter fixed the heavy sign above the shop entrance early this morning.
Maeve used strong tape to fix the poster firmly in place on her bedroom wall.
Gabriela fixed the bike rack onto the back of her car before the trip.
文法句型
fix + something + to/onto/on + surface
fix + something + in place
用法筆記
Often used with prepositions: fix to, fix onto, fix in place. The object is typically attached to a surface or larger structure.
常見錯誤
4. to direct your eyes or full attention at someone or something and keep it there
to direct your eyes or full attention at someone or something and keep it there without looking away.
Adisa fixed his eyes on the horizon, searching for the ship's return.
fix + one's eyes/gaze + on + something
The cat fixed its stare on the small mouse hiding under the cupboard.
fix + one's stare/gaze + on + someone
Anya fixed the speaker with a look that made the whole room go quiet.
The security guard fixed his eyes on the man in the grey coat.
The toddler fixed his gaze on the colourful butterfly in the garden.
文法句型
fix + one's eyes/gaze + on
fix + someone + with a stare/look
用法筆記
Most often used in the patterns 'fix one's eyes/gaze on' or 'fix someone with a stare/look'. The subject rarely looks away from the object.
5. to keep thinking about something so much that it becomes difficult to focus on a
to keep thinking about something so much that it becomes difficult to focus on anything else.
The detective fixed on a tiny detail that everyone else had overlooked.
fix on + something (a detail, a memory, an idea)
The student nurse kept fixing on the mistake she made during her first shift.
Try not to fix on what went wrong — think about what you can improve.
The old man's mind fixed upon memories of the war whenever it rained.
The teacher noticed the child fixing on the one low mark on the test.
- obsess over
stronger and more negative; implies an unhealthy level of focus
- dwell on
often used for negative memories or regrets
- focus on
neutral; simply means directing attention without the negative sense
- brush aside
to deliberately stop thinking about something
文法句型
fix on/upon + something
用法筆記
Always followed by 'on' or 'upon'. The subject is usually a person, or their mind, thoughts, or attention.
常見錯誤
6. to dishonestly arrange the result of a competition, election, or race so that a
to dishonestly arrange the result of a competition, election, or race so that a particular person or side wins.
The boxing referee was caught trying to fix the heavyweight title match for money.
fix + a match/fight (sporting contest)
The journalist discovered that someone had fixed the school election results.
The coach was banned for life after fixing three matches last season.
The gambling boss paid two players to fix the football game on Saturday.
Investigators believe the singing contest was fixed in favour of the local performer.
- rig
more common in everyday speech for this meaning
- manipulate
broader; can apply to non-competition situations too
- tamper with
suggests interfering with the process rather than the outcome
文法句型
fix + a race/match/election/contest
用法筆記
Object is usually a competition: match, race, election, contest. Frequently used in the passive: 'the match was fixed'.
常見錯誤
7. to neaten your appearance — your hair, makeup, or clothes — with quick, light to
to neaten your appearance — your hair, makeup, or clothes — with quick, light touches that restore a tidy look
Lan fixed her hair in the mirror before walking into the restaurant.
fix + your hair
Diego fixed his tie and smoothed down his jacket before the interview.
fix + clothing item (tie)
After the windy walk, Tanvi fixed her tangled curls with her fingers.
Ava fixed her lipstick in the reflection of the shop window.
Mert fixed his collar in a hurry before the family photo was taken.
- mess up
to deliberately make hair or clothes untidy
文法句型
fix + your hair/makeup/clothes
8. to cook or get food or a drink ready, especially for a meal
to cook or get food or a drink ready, especially for a meal
Diego fixed a quick sandwich while the kettle boiled for tea.
fix + a sandwich (cold food, no cooking)
Eli fixed pancakes for the children on Saturday morning.
fix + [meal] for [someone]
Zuri fixed a pot of coffee before her guests arrived.
Dario fixed dinner for the whole family after a long day at work.
Their grandmother fixed a light snack while they waited for the main course.
文法句型
fix + [meal/drink]
用法筆記
Common in informal American English. British English speakers more often say 'make' or 'prepare' for food and drink.
常見錯誤
9. to have a clear intention to act in the immediate future; to be just about to st
to have a clear intention to act in the immediate future; to be just about to start doing something
Mert was fixing to leave when the phone rang.
be fixing to + verb (leave)
Diego is fixing to start a new job in the city next month.
be fixing to + verb (start)
Tariro was fixing to say something but changed her mind at the last second.
Ava was fixing to go to bed when she heard a noise outside.
The delivery driver was fixing to knock when the door swung open.
- about to
standard equivalent; can be used in any register
- planning to
implies more deliberate intention rather than being on the verge
- going to
the most common informal alternative; less regional
文法句型
be fixing to + verb
用法筆記
Always used in the form 'be fixing to + verb'. Strongly associated with Southern American English and informal speech. Not used in formal writing.
常見錯誤
10. to punish or take revenge on someone, especially a person who has treated you un
to punish or take revenge on someone, especially a person who has treated you unfairly
Lan was determined to fix the bully who had been teasing her younger brother.
fix + [person who wronged you]
Jessica warned that she would fix anyone who took credit for her work.
I'll fix + [person] as a threat
Eli muttered under his breath that he would fix the mechanic who overcharged him.
The older boys planned to fix the new kid who had been causing trouble.
Mert told his friend, 'Don't worry — I'll fix him for what he did.'
- get even with
focuses on restoring balance after being wronged
- take revenge on
stronger, more deliberate act of punishment
- punish
more formal; can be used in official or legal contexts
- forgive
to stop feeling angry towards someone who has wronged you
文法句型
fix + [person]
I'll fix + [person]
用法筆記
Often used with 'I'll fix him/you/them' as a threat. The object is always a person, never a situation.
常見錯誤
11. to treat photographic film or paper with a chemical solution so that the develop
to treat photographic film or paper with a chemical solution so that the developed image does not fade over time
The photographer fixed the negatives in a chemical bath before hanging them to dry.
fix + the negatives
Leo learned to fix prints in the darkroom during his photography class.
fix + prints (paper copies)
After developing the film, Marco fixed the images so they would not fade.
The old photograph was properly fixed, so it still looks clear after sixty years.
Tariro watched as the darkroom technician fixed the black-and-white prints with great care.
文法句型
fix + [film/print/negative]
用法筆記
Technical term used in traditional film photography. The chemical used for fixing is called 'fixer' (also known as 'hypo').
12. to transform nitrogen or another gas from the atmosphere into a compound that li
to transform nitrogen or another gas from the atmosphere into a compound that living organisms can absorb and use
Certain bacteria in the soil can fix nitrogen from the air into the ground.
fix + nitrogen (from the air)
Clover plants work with bacteria to fix nitrogen, which helps nearby crops grow better.
Legumes like peas and beans fix nitrogen naturally, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.
The researcher studied how soil microbes fix atmospheric nitrogen throughout the growing season.
Farmers often plant cover crops that fix nitrogen to keep the soil healthy between harvests.
- release
to free nitrogen back into the atmosphere, the opposite of fixation
文法句型
fix + [gas name]
fix + nitrogen
用法筆記
Used mainly in biology and agriculture. The most common subjects are bacteria, legumes, and cover crops. In scientific writing, the process is called 'nitrogen fixation'.
13. to perform a medical operation on an animal that stops it from having babies
to perform a medical operation on an animal that stops it from having babies
Zola had her cat fixed before the spring mating season began.
causative: have + [animal] + fixed
The vet fixed the stray dogs so they would not keep breeding.
fix + [animal] as direct object
Lucas took his male rabbit to be fixed at the local clinic.
Most animal shelters fix every cat and dog before adoption.
Gabriela's neighbour fixed all the feral cats on their street.
文法句型
fix + [animal]
用法筆記
Object is always an animal — never used for humans. Pet owners commonly say 'get the cat fixed'; vets distinguish between 'spay' (female) and 'castrate' or 'neuter' (male).
常見錯誤
14. to put an illegal drug into your body using a needle
to put an illegal drug into your body using a needle
A nurse at the clinic found Élise fixing in the public toilets.
intransitive: fixing without an object
Tyler's sister admitted she had been fixing heroin for nearly two years.
fix + [drug name]: fix heroin
Joaquín tried to hide the fact that he was fixing from his closest friends.
The hostel bans anyone caught fixing drugs in the shared bathrooms.
Pim watched a film about people fixing cocaine on the streets of São Paulo.
文法句型
fix
fix + [drug name]
用法筆記
Slang term from drug subculture; avoid in formal or medical writing. Can be intransitive ('he was fixing in the alley') or take a drug name as object ('fixing heroin').
常見錯誤
fixes — noun
- fixessingular
- fixesesplural
1. An arrangement in which someone secretly and dishonestly makes sure a particular
An arrangement in which someone secretly and dishonestly makes sure a particular person or team wins a race, competition, or election.
Aarav bet his savings on a fight that turned out to be a fix.
Nigel told reporters the election was a fix and called for a new vote.
collocation: 'be a fix' for describing a rigged contest
The crowd booed when they realised the boxing match was a fix.
Hong refused to take part in the quiz after hearing it was a fix.
Nobody was surprised when investigators confirmed the race had been a fix.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (SOLUTION): a fix here involves cheating to control the result, not repairing or solving something.
常見錯誤
2. A difficult or awkward situation that someone is stuck in and cannot easily get
A difficult or awkward situation that someone is stuck in and cannot easily get out of.
Anja was in a real fix when her car broke down in the desert.
collocation: 'be in a fix' for a difficult situation
Haruto was in a fix after losing his passport the day before his flight.
Eitan got into a fix by promising two different friends the same concert ticket.
The company was in a fix when their biggest customer cancelled without warning.
Oskar helped his sister out of a fix with a loan for the rent.
- predicament
more formal; used in writing and serious speech
- jam
equally informal; common in American English
- tight spot
idiomatic; emphasises the pressure of the situation
- pickle
informal and slightly old-fashioned; often light-hearted
用法筆記
Always used with 'a' and typically preceded by 'in', 'into', or 'out of'. Distinguish from sense 3 — being in a fix means you face a problem; finding a fix means you have the answer.
常見錯誤
3. Something that repairs a problem, removes a fault, or puts a broken thing back i
Something that repairs a problem, removes a fault, or puts a broken thing back in working order.
Sari found a clever fix for the leaking pipe using tape and an old cloth.
The software update included a fix for the bug that crashed people's phones.
Intan tried a quick fix for the squeaking door, but it didn't last.
Camila needed a permanent fix for the roof, not just another patch job.
The engineers worked all weekend to come up with a fix for the engine problem.
- solution
more formal and general; used in academic and professional contexts
- remedy
often used for health problems or social issues
- workaround
a temporary way around a problem rather than a full solution
- patch
used especially in computing for a small corrective update
用法筆記
Often modified by 'quick', 'temporary', or 'permanent' to describe how lasting the solution is. A 'quick fix' implies the solution may not be thorough.
常見錯誤
4. A single dose of an illegal substance, or an amount of anything that someone cra
A single dose of an illegal substance, or an amount of anything that someone craves intensely and depends on.
Xia entered rehab after admitting that a daily fix had taken over completely.
collocation: 'a daily fix' for regular craving
The nurse noticed the patient was desperate and kept asking for a fix.
For the recovering patient, even a morning coffee felt too much like a fix.
Dara watched her brother sink deeper with each fix, powerless to help.
The paramedic found the man collapsed on the floor, a needle beside his last fix.
用法筆記
The object of craving is usually an illegal drug, but the word can extend to anything habitually desired, such as coffee, social media, or gambling.
常見錯誤
5. The location of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle determined by radio signals, bearin
The location of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle determined by radio signals, bearings, or other measurements.
The captain waited for the officer to confirm the ship's fix before changing course.
collocation: 'confirm a fix' in maritime navigation
In heavy fog, the pilot relied on the plane's instruments to get a fix.
The coastguard used the last known fix to narrow the search area.
Without a reliable fix, the submarine drifted for hours before resurfacing.
The navigator marked the ship's fix on the chart with a small red dot.
- bearing
specifically the direction of an object from the observer, not the full position
- coordinates
more precise; the numerical values of latitude and longitude
- position
broader term; does not imply the calculation process that 'fix' does
用法筆記
Used with 'on': 'get a fix on something'. The subject is typically a vessel, aircraft, or their crew, and the determination is made by instruments rather than guesswork.
6. An accurate measurement of how large, how much, or where something is, gained th
An accurate measurement of how large, how much, or where something is, gained through careful observation or analysis.
The survey team took a fix on the mountain's height using laser instruments.
collocation: 'take a fix on' for measuring
Scientists need a precise fix on the star's distance before publishing their findings.
The geologist got a good fix on the depth of the underground water source.
Engineers could not get a fix on the leak with pipes buried that deep.
The drone took a fix on the coordinates and flew straight to the target.
- reading
commonly used for instruments and dials; less formal
- measurement
the most general term; does not imply the same degree of precision
- determination
formal; emphasises the process of finding something out conclusively
用法筆記
Used with 'on': 'get a fix on something' or 'take a fix on something'. More precise than an estimate; implies measurement by instruments or systematic observation. Related to sense 5 but applies beyond navigation to any kind of measurement.