fixer

American  

[fik-ser] / ˈfɪk sər /

noun

1. a person or thing that fixes, sets, adjusts, or repairs.

2. Informal.

   1. a person who arranges matters in advance, or acts as a liaison.

      The film crew hired a fixer for the foreign location shoot.

   2. a person who neutralizes problems for another, as for an individual or organization whose reputation is threatened by past misdeeds or conflicts, often through bribery or influence.

      The agent also worked as a fixer for several movie stars, keeping sex scandals and drug arrests out of the tabloids.

3. Informal. fixer-upper.

4. Photography. fixative.

5. Slang. a person who sells narcotics to addicts.

---

fixer British  

/ ˈfɪksə /

noun

1. a person or thing that fixes

2. photog a solution containing one or more chemical compounds that is used, in fixing, to dissolve unexposed silver halides. It sometimes has an additive to stop the action of developer

3. slang a person who makes arrangements, esp by underhand or illegal means

---

Etymology

Origin of fixer

First recorded in 1840–50; fix + -er ¹

Example Sentences

There are fixers who set up them up with homes, cars, clothes and other luxuries.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m the best fixer in Washington, period. Full stop,” said the 48-year-old Iowan.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ting-Wei Sun was described in the filing as a "fixer" who worked with others to conceal the scheme.

From Barron's

Cipriani, a self-professed fixer, whistleblower and professional gambler who had been spreading innuendo about Shell on social media, according to court filings in a continuing legal dispute between the men.

From The Wall Street Journal

The move comes as Shell faces scrutiny after his Paramount bosses hired a law firm to investigate his surreptitious dealings with Cipriani, a self-styled “fixer.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advocate
• arbiter
• arbitrator
• broker
• go-between
• intermediary
• judge
• negotiator
• peacemaker
• referee
• troubleshooter