fixer

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Informal

n. someone who uses illegal or dishonest ways to get a specific result, like bribing officials.

n. a person who secures immunity or specific outcomes through improper or unlawful means, such as bribery or extortion.

“The politician was caught talking to a known fixer about the court case.”

“The investigation revealed a network of fixers who had been tampering with the jury to ensure an acquittal for the mob boss.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a local person who helps foreign journalists with travel, language, and finding people to interview.

n. a local professional who assists foreign journalists in volatile regions by providing interpretation, transport, and vital connections.

“Without our fixer, we never would have been able to interview the villagers safely.”

“Experienced foreign correspondents know that a reliable fixer is the most valuable asset when reporting from a conflict zone.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. a chemical used when developing film to make the image permanent.

n. a chemical solution, typically sodium thiosulfate, used in photographic processing to stabilise the image by removing unexposed silver halides.

“Make sure you leave the film in the fixer for the full five minutes.”

“If the fixer is exhausted, the photographic prints will eventually discolour when exposed to ambient light.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English · Informal

n. a house that is in bad condition and needs to be repaired or decorated.

n. a property that requires extensive renovation or repair, often purchased at a lower price for investment purposes.

“They bought a real fixer in the suburbs and spent every weekend painting it.”

“The couple decided to purchase a fixer in a gentrifying neighbourhood, hoping the sweat equity would pay off in a few years.”