# fix up

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fix-up
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to repair or renovate

phrasal verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to repair, decorate, or improve a building or a piece of equipment.

For teachers: to repair, refurbish, or renovate a physical structure or object.

- They bought an old house and spent the summer fixing it up.
- The couple invested their savings into fixing up the dilapidated cottage, hoping to list it as a holiday rental by the spring.

### 2. to arrange a date

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to arrange for two people to meet, usually for a romantic date.

For teachers: to arrange a social or romantic introduction between two people. Transitive and separable; usually takes 'with'.

- My sister tried to fix me up with one of her colleagues.
- After months of hearing how much they had in common, Sarah finally agreed to let her friends fix her up with the new architect.

### 3. to provide or supply

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to provide someone with something they need or want.

For teachers: to furnish or provide someone with a necessary or desired item or service. Transitive and separable; often takes 'with'.

- Can you fix me up with a ticket for tonight's show?
- The concierge was able to fix the guests up with a private tour of the vineyard despite the short notice.

### 4. to prepare something

phrasal verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to prepare or organize something, like a meal or a place to stay.

For teachers: to prepare, organize, or make ready a specific arrangement or item.

- I'll fix up a bed for you in the spare room.
- If you stay for dinner, I can fix up a quick salad and some pasta while we finish our conversation.

### 5. to improve one's behavior

phrasal verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Dialect

to start behaving better or to get your life organized.

For teachers: to improve one's conduct, attitude, or personal situation. Intransitive; often used as an imperative in specific dialects.

- You need to fix up and start taking your studies seriously.
- The coach told the players they needed to fix up if they wanted to remain on the starting roster for the next season.

## Examples

- They plan to fix up the old house and sell it.
- He spent the entire summer fixing up a vintage motorcycle he found in his grandfather's garage.
- The community group secured a small grant to fix up the local park, focusing primarily on the dilapidated playground equipment and the overgrown flower beds.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: focus on the physical renovation sense first before introducing the social sense of 'arranging' something; it is a high-frequency verb in DIY and real estate contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.