fix up (3)

Question

1. I've fixed the problem. (1)2. I've fixed the problem up. (2)What is the difference in meaning btw (1) and (2)?Q

Goodman · Accepted Answer

Tung Quoc1. I've fixed the problem. (1)

2. I've fixed the problem up. (2)

What is the difference in meaning btw (1) and (2)?

Q

Fix up something = means to perform improvement on something to make it better either cosmetically or structurally. i.e. fixing up a old house or old car. However, it does not mean that something is broken.

Fix something = means to perform repair on something that is broken, or out of order. He spent the entire evening fixing his broken air conditioner.

Tung Quoc · Answer

Hi,

In your opinion, does fix up have any meanings of repair?

Q

Yoong Liat · Answer

No.

Milky · Answer

Tung QuocHi,

In your opinion, does fix up have any meanings of repair?

Q

As before:

fix sth up (REPAIR) phrasal verb [M]
to repair or change something in order to improve it:
Nick loves fixing up old cars.

Yoong Liat · Answer

Tung QuocHi,

In your opinion, does fix up have any meanings of repair?

Q

According to Collins Cobuild Dictionary for Advanced Learners, If you fix something which is damaged or which does not work properly, you repair it.

If you fix something up, you do work that is necessary in order to make it more suitable or attractive:

I've fixed up Matthew's old room. The whole block is being fixed up.

Marius Hancu · Answer

I think we have enough proof to conclude that according to many dictionaries, fix up is only appropriate for minor repairs/sprucing up, not for real repairs.

Thus, I'd be careful about its usage to avoid misinterpretation, or some might think that 2) in the original posting means I've only produced small fixes to the problem, I haven't really eliminated it.

Milky · Answer

Marius HancuI think we have enough proof to conclude that according to many dictionaries, fix up is only appropriate for minor repairs/sprucing up, not for real repairs.

Thus, I'd be careful about its usage to avoid misinterpretation, or some might think that 2) in the original posting means I've only produced small fixes to the problem, I haven't eliminated it.

I'm not sure where you got that idea from, Marius. If you renovate something, you can also be said to have fixed it up. Renovation is not normally seen as just sprucing up.

"1806. Reactivated (inactive 1963-1999). 58 ft octagonal sandstone tower. Keeper's house destroyed. The lighthouse is located on a very small, eroding island in the Chesapeake. Renovated 1988, severely vandalized in 1994, then fixed up a second time and relit December 12, 1999."

Yoong Liat · Answer

Marius, you're right. We must not mislead the learner. The definition provided by the Collins Cobuild English for Advanced Learners clearly states the difference between "to fix" and "to fix up." Even the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary gives the same distinction.

Marius Hancu · Answer

Milky
Marius HancuI think we have enough proof to conclude that according to many dictionaries, fix up is only appropriate for minor repairs/sprucing up, not for real repairs.

Thus, I'd be careful about its usage to avoid misinterpretation, or some might think that 2) in the original posting means I've only produced small fixes to the problem, I haven't eliminated it.

I'm not sure where you got that idea from, Marius.
See the definitions in the above from the Cobuild or what Goodman says. I think they are correct. How you interpret them, it's your problem.

I know that, according to the Shorter OED (p. 969), "mend, repair, redecorate" can be expressed by "fix" or "fix up," but I would avoid the 2nd, as for example it is NOT present in the M-W Unabridged:

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fix up
Function: transitive verb

1 a : to arrange a settlement of : bring to a conclusion <fix up a dispute> <today a contract was definitely fixed up -- Arnold Bennett> b : http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?book=Third&va=contrive, http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?book=Third&va=devise<fixed up an emergency mast> c : http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?book=Third&va=furnish, http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?book=Third&va=equip<fixed the room up as a study>

2 : to provide or accommodate with something needed or desirable : http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?book=Third&va=supply, <fix up a small loan> -- often used with with<fixed up his relations with positions -- New York Times> <can sew up a client merely by fixing him up with a memorable game at his club -- Time>

3 : to dress up : spruce up <fixed myself up as well as I could -- J.B.Benefield>

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I would tend to use the most general usage.

fix up (3)

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