fix yourself

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   To deal with your own problems or change your own behavior instead of blaming other people.

   Grammar: Used as an imperative or with a reflexive meaning: 'You need to fix yourself first.' It takes no object because 'yourself' is the object.

   Patterns

   • fix yourself first
   • need to fix yourself
   • try to fix yourself

   Before you criticize your partner, maybe you should fix yourself.

   He spent years trying to fix himself instead of asking for help.

   You can't fix yourself overnight; change takes time.

2. 2phraseidiom

   To repair or tidy your own appearance, clothes, or equipment without help.

   Grammar: Often used reflexively: 'She fixed herself up before the interview.' It can also mean to prepare yourself.

   Patterns

   • fix yourself up
   • fix yourself a drink

   Go and fix yourself up before the guests arrive.

   He fixed himself a sandwich while waiting for the meeting to start.

Common combinations

fix yourself first

The therapist told him to fix himself first before trying to change others.

fix yourself up

She went to the bathroom to fix herself up before the photo.

you can't fix yourself

You can't fix yourself if you never admit there's a problem.

Synonyms and how they differ

improve yourself

More neutral and positive; 'fix yourself' suggests something is broken or wrong.

work on yourself

Focuses on gradual effort rather than a quick repair; often used in self-help advice.

Word family

fix verb

To repair something or make it work again.

fixer noun

A person who arranges solutions, often informally or secretly.

Commonly confused: fix yourself or fix up?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “fix yourself”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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