fixing

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The work of repairing something so that it works properly again.

   Grammar: Often used with of: the fixing of the roof.

   Patterns

   • the fixing of something

   The fixing of the leaking pipe took only an hour.

   He left the fixing of the old clock to a specialist.

   Quick fixing of the bug saved the website from crashing.

2. 2noununcountabledisapproving

   The act of illegally arranging the result of a contest, price or vote.

   Grammar: Usually describes dishonest behavior: price fixing.

   Patterns

   • the fixing of something

   Officials investigated the fixing of the match.

   Price fixing between competitors is against the law.

   The scandal involved vote fixing in several districts.

3. 3nounusually pluralAmerican

   Extra items served with a main dish, especially the side dishes of a traditional meal.

   Grammar: Used as fixings in American English: turkey with all the fixings.

   Patterns

   • with all the fixings

   We served roast turkey with all the fixings.

   The burger bar offers a choice of fixings.

   Grandma cooked a feast with every kind of fixings.

4. 4adjectiveafter a verbinformalregionalAmerican

   About to do something, used in informal southern American speech.

   Grammar: Always in the pattern fixing to plus a verb: I'm fixing to leave.

   Patterns

   • be fixing to do something

   I'm fixing to cook dinner now.

   She said they were fixing to head out.

   We are fixing to start the game.

Word forms

Common combinations

price fixing

The companies were fined for price fixing.

match fixing

Match fixing destroyed the player's career.

with all the fixings

They ordered a steak dinner with all the fixings.

fixing to leave

I'm fixing to leave in a minute.

quick fixing

The car needed some quick fixing before the trip.

Synonyms and how they differ

repair

Repair is the standard word for mending something, and fixing sounds more casual.

rigging

Rigging is used for dishonest control of an outcome, and carries a stronger sense of cheating than fixing.

trimmings

Trimmings are the extras served with a meal and are more common in British English than fixings.

Opposites

Word family

fix verb

to repair, attach or arrange

fixer noun

someone who repairs or arranges things

fixed adjective

firmly set

fixture noun

something firmly fitted in place

Commonly confused: fixing or fixation?

Practice

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